Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's radiculopathy from October 29, 2019 is currently rated at 40 percent for the left lower extremity and 30 percent for the right lower extremity. The Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient development.,The Veteran contends that his disability is more severe than the current ratings depict.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,Service connection is denied for a left hand disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective May 13, 2021.,A 70 percent rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder from May 29, 2012 to May 12, 2021 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to ongoing development of medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but remanded her claim for sciatica disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating prior to March 22, 2022. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and functional gastrointestinal disorder were all granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's inability to attend scheduled VA examinations for neurological conditions. The case will be returned for further development and examination.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathies are now rated at 20 percent effective June 12, 2017. The right leg-length discrepancy is not compensable, and the left and right ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder condition is rated at 40 percent since October 1, 2018.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is rated at 40 percent since October 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar-thoracic strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in significant limitations that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces or canes. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grants.

The Veteran's PIP strain of the fourth finger of the left hand is granted service connection. An initial disability evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with DDD and IVDS is granted effective September 19, 2016. Separate 10 percent evaluations are granted for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy and sciatic nerve radiculopathy beginning December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with a 40 percent evaluation, effective from December 27, 2016.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder (patellofemoral pain syndrome) and left knee strain are both granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, as well as his claim for a higher rating for sciatic nerve irritation of the left leg, have been granted. The issue of a higher rating for sciatic nerve irritation of the left leg is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 was denied as he has not provided the necessary information and there is no indication in the record that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for a TDIU since February 3, 2020, was dismissed as moot because he had a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on low back strain, lumbar radiculopathy (lower right extremity), and scar have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he did not submit the necessary VA Form 21-8940, and there is insufficient evidence to determine his employment status.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder with degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they do not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The claims are remanded.