Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hip disabilities, as well as his radiculopathy and neuralgia. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical strain, radiculopathy of the left arm, cerebral palsy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and a left elbow disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining additional private treatment records from Wright Patterson Air Force Base since October 2014. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for lumbar intervertebral disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, nor is there any evidence to suggest such conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board also found no relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hip disability and active service or service-connected disabilities. The examiner opined that the current diagnosis of bilateral iliopsoas tendonitis is less likely due to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including right lower leg scars, left knee strain and instability, low back pain, right common peroneal nerve injury, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, as well as an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease, were granted. The low back impairment claim was remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and a separate rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The claim for a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve pain are rated at 20 percent before May 24, 2019. From that date, the rating is increased to 40 percent for both conditions.,Neck disability was initially rated at 20 percent before May 18, 2021 and then increased to 30 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected DDD and lower extremity radiculopathies require additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for a right leg disability, other than right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected low back injury with degenerative changes and left lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective March 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD and is currently considering a TDIU claim based on his migraines and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective January 20, 2012.,An earlier effective date of January 20, 2012 was denied for the award of 20 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder and left leg radiculopathy due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete factual information. The Veteran's active duty service records show treatment for lower back pain, but a VA examiner based their negative opinion on inaccurate facts.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg and hip conditions, including radiculopathy, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. The Veteran received a 20% rating from July 8, 2016 to July 7, 2017 for his lumbar spine disability. He also received TDIU prior to March 12, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his diabetes mellitus, type II, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, but her claims for residuals of head injury and headaches have been remanded.,Service connection was denied for condyloma accuminata (HPV/genital warts).

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a higher rating of 40 percent since November 29, 2017.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a higher rating of 40 percent since November 29, 2017.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for the entire appeal period.