Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was reduced from a 20% to a 10% rating, effective August 1, 2018. A 40% rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted starting June 25, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee, bilateral elbow, headache, and eczema to the eyelids, ears, face, back, and forearms, are remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease L5-S1, was granted. His back disability is currently rated at 40 percent and remains denied for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy need further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is remanded due to evidence indicating the Veteran's service-connected disabilities impact his employment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right hand injury as the evidence did not support a finding that the current condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disk disease, with right S1 radiculopathy, status post lumbar discectomy and laminectomy is granted. The Board found that the evidence was in approximate balance, granting the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee and back disorders are found to be proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the LLE is reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's RLE and LLE sciatic diabetic neuropathy are each rated at 20%.,Erectile dysfunction is not granted a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, a back scar associated with the low back disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's foot disability is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatic and femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to additional evidence received after the previous SSOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a left foot disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and recurrent subluxation of the right knee. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cracked pelvis, back disability, left leg disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and lymphedema are not related to her military service.,All VA examinations provided thorough evaluations and addressed the etiology of each condition. The July 2021 VA examiner concluded that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for low back disorder and neck disorder, nerve damage in the back, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica and nerve damage are all remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and assertions of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence and unclear findings of cervical radiculopathy prior to November 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of prescribed bedrest periods.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The diagnoses are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings for his service-connected cervical neck strain, degenerative conditions, and radiculopathies due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine and a neurological examination for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations, and the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled exams. The claims will be remanded for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion from the May 2015 VA back conditions examiner regarding the etiology of the diagnosed lumbar spine disorders.