Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 30% effective October 5, 2021.,Right leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10%, and the Veteran contends for a higher rating. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability from February 7, 2013. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and a nerve disability, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of GERD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims in writing.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right lumbar radiculopathy. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity neurological condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition was dismissed. Service connection for his low back disability is granted, and the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his low back disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for an ear condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for additional examinations, updated treatment records, and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of both left and right lower extremities are currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral foot disorder due to outstanding VA medical records and further development.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy since May 31, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran's disabilities were not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities have been rated at 10 percent each since May 11, 2011. The Board is remanding these issues for additional development.,The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation as his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve and granted a 30 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, effective from February 21, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, work history, skills, and training, resulting in a TDIU grant.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of radiculopathy in both lower extremities, finding that his symptoms more closely approximated mild incomplete paralysis and thus warranting the currently assigned 10 percent rating.

The appeal for service connection of thoracolumbar spine disorder is dismissed as the RO has already granted it with a full award. The appeals for left knee, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to evidentiary deficiencies and procedural issues, including failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with updated medical evidence and further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of cooperation from the Veteran, and outstanding evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.