Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper and lower extremity disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected right foot condition. The remand requires further clarification of whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied, and the case is remanded due to insufficient reasons provided by the Board. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 25, 2021. The decision finds that her service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's educational background and work history, as well as potential interrelated claims involving TDIU.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Herpes was not diagnosed during service and no evidence supports its relation to service. ,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (migraine headaches) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (an acquired psychiatric disability) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets criteria for a 20 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to December 14, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was rated at 20 percent from July 29, 2011. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded. The left shoulder disability claim is reopened, but the lumbar spine sprain with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as left hip disability), right knee instability, left knee flexion limitation, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and migraine headaches claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to increased disability ratings for various spinal and arm conditions as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability and right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating for low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn contributed to his causes of death (CAD and DMII).

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary incontinence, and cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity disabilities due to unsuccessful attempts to contact the Veteran at his new address. Updated VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's lumbar strain and bilateral lower radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims include service connection for various back and arm disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's interstitial cystitis and cervical radiculopathy right upper extremity are granted service connection as they were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings in several conditions, including left sided sciatica radiculopathy and sinusitis. The Veteran's lumbar spine scar and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted initial compensable ratings, while his spermatocele (status post vasectomy) and right ankle sprain with instability were denied.