Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right sciatic radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The appeal for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle disorder, disability of the ball of the left foot, bilateral sciatica, bilateral hip pain, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and right ankle strain has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for a low back disorder and right ankle strain have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity, and insomnia, fatigue, and memory loss secondary to sleep apnea and thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease with osteomalacia have been granted. The reduction in disability ratings has been reversed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating constant use of a walker. The Board has granted financial assistance for specially adapted housing but denied the special home adaptation grant as moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for epicondylitis of the right elbow and a back condition, claimed as intervertebral disc syndrome with radiculopathy due to failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings are granted. The case is remanded for additional development related to the PTSD rating and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability, entitlement to a separate compensable rating for any bowel or bladder impairment associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's appeal for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and effective dates due to a need for additional examinations and information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, but he was not in need of nursing home care or permanent housebound status. He is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance by another.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10% and restored. The Veteran's osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are currently rated at 10%. These ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her upper extremity radiculopathies and TDIU prior to January 14, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show she was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to April 25, 2016 and increased to 20 percent from April 25, 2016 to October 14, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2019.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to worsening of his service-connected lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood disabilities. He must be afforded new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right foot status-post fracture.,A 10 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's residual scars of left knee surgery.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and right knee condition, but these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected right foot condition.