Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disorders are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left upper radiculopathy, and right upper radiculopathy due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran served as an Airborne Pathfinder in the Army.

The Veteran's service-connected sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded for further evaluation due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an updated examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is denied as not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's memory loss is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral elbow condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis (claimed as a respiratory condition) is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's OSA is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation and determination of their etiology.

Service connection for PTSD due to MST has been granted.,Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his right lower extremity radiculopathy and service or a service-connected disability, as well as the extent of any neuropathy in his right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right leg condition, cervical spine condition, sleep apnea, and hand conditions due to incomplete medical opinions.

For the period prior to January 9, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish that his current disabilities began during active service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy during the relevant periods.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete reasoning. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disability is not service-connected, but may be related to his active service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is related to his service-connected left knee disability and has been granted service connection. The rating for his left knee meniscal tear with instability remains at 10 percent, but a remand is ordered due to concerns about its reduction from 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, secondary to his cervical spine disability, are granted. The claim for an increased rating for deviated septum with residuals of broken nose is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical nexus opinions. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity conditions are being evaluated again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disability, including diagnosed lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and radiculopathy. The issues regarding increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling or a TDIU based on a single disability.