Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to failure to comply with prior remand directives and issues related to VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include L4-L5 space narrowing degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder based on limited range of motion, left knee disability based on limitation of motion, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete treatment records.

Your appeals for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, a left knee condition, and headaches have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy prior to June 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald and incomplete examination findings.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a back condition due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and a left shoulder condition due to secondary service-connected disabilities. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to in-service injuries, including pulling up during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine IVDS and DDD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and muscle pain have been granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 20, 2022. The rating for IVDS with radiculopathy has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his thoracolumbar spine disability and left foot disorder are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for heart disease, elevated cholesterol, and tuberculosis/positive PPD remain remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathies were granted increased ratings, with the cervical spine disability receiving a 20% rating prior to April 1, 2022, and a 30% rating since then. The right upper extremity radiculopathy received a 40% rating since April 1, 2022, and the left upper extremity radiculopathy received a 30% rating since that date. TDIU was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and service connection for a chronic headache disability, as well as for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's low back disability is established as it is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower back disability and associated radiculopathy, result in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board grants financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Veteran's surgical scars of the neck are granted a 10 percent rating, effective from August 21, 2019. For the period beginning March 5, 2020, she is granted a separate noncompensable rating for her surgical scars of the neck. The appeal regarding the reduction in evaluation for left upper extremity radiculopathy was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle instability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with left neural foramina stenosis, right knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, left knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, appendectomy scar residuals (right arm and face), spider bites residuals (right arm and face), a right knee scar, a left knee scar, and tension headaches, have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy, right and left knee disorders, and bilateral foot disorder. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation and insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection due to his right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied. The case has also been remanded to determine if ankylosis is present.,A TDIU claim has been remanded as well.