Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by his attorney, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of extraschedular evaluations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy from May 13, 2015, to May 23, 2019. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine the severity and impact of his condition during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities was reopened and granted with an effective date of June 7, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot nerve damage (LLE radiculopathy) and increased rating for thoracic scoliosis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have LLE radiculopathy, and there is insufficient evidence to support a determination of its presence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied as the evidence did not show an unfavorable ankylosis of his lumbar spine or right lower extremity radiculopathy, and the current rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is at its maximum.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy and cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neck disability are all rated at 40 percent effective January 31, 2020. The claim for TDIU is dismissed.

The Veteran was previously working and earning above the poverty threshold, but due to his service-connected disabilities, he is now unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU from April 22, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative spondylosis is rated at 40 percent effective October 15, 2013. The rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted but not discussed in detail as it does not affect the overall decision.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as hypertension, but the appellant contends that his true cause of death was head trauma from repeated falls. The VA medical opinions found no nexus between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis, and right toe disabilities, were found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from July 28, 2014 to November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis disabilities as well as the service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of both knees and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all issues on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient consideration of relevant service treatment records. The Veteran's migraine headaches claim is also remanded as there are no adequate opinions regarding his rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include a low back disability, dermatitis, left shoulder disability, upper extremity pain and numbness (to include gout), lower extremity pain and numbness (to include gout and radiculopathy), and a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and clarification regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC due to procedural issues, including the need for additional evidence and examinations.