Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied increased ratings.,Effective March 28, 2016, separate ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerves were granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's right lower extremity nerve impairment and a need for clarification of the diagnosis.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and back disability have been rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.,For her lower extremity radiculopathy, a separate rating is granted from January 31, 2014 to June 13, 2016; however, a higher rating is denied after that period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of certain evidence, including STRs and VA treatment records. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's status post subtotal resection left S2 nerve root for schwannoma with left hemilaminectomy S1 and S2 has been rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has also been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being held in abeyance until a new examination and medical opinion can be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and associated ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding when fibromyalgia and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy first manifested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and sciatica of the right lower extremity due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues, including a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claims for headaches, back disorder, and left leg disorders are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for his service-connected psychiatric disability, have rendered him unemployable since May 7, 2012 and on and after July 22, 2020.,The Board has granted a TDIU from May 7, 2012 to February 25, 2013 and on and after July 22, 2020 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for lower extremity nerve disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding which nerves were involved, whether any femoral nerve disabilities resolved, and the severity of his sciatica.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 29, 2019 for TDIU and DEA benefits.,SMC based on housebound criteria was denied prior to September 26, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities due to missing non-VA treatment records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right shoulder disorder, BUE radiculopathy, lumbar spine disorder, and BLE radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his left ankle condition, right ankle condition, myoclonic jerking, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his left ankle condition, right ankle condition, myoclonic jerking, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle condition due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his right ankle condition, myoclonic jerking, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle condition due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his left ankle condition, myoclonic jerking, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of myoclonic jerking due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a separate disability evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the tibial, peroneal, and cutaneous nerves due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is also being remanded for service connection of his left ankle condition, right ankle condition, myoclonic jerking, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection with a 20% disability rating effective from January 22, 2016.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has also been granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the submission of new evidence, and these issues will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board has decided the rating for thoracolumbar spine disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a determination on the character of discharge from service and readjudication of all issues on appeal. The decision is not binding on other VA policies or interpretations.