Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of propriety of reduction of disability ratings and entitlement to increased ratings, as well as a TDIU claim prior to July 20, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. Therefore, eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is denied.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus with pronounced symptoms, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease are granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for his bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran was granted SMC at the housebound rate effective December 10, 2010 due to service-connected major depression.,SMC for loss of use of both feet was granted effective December 3, 2015.