Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a 40% rating, while left upper extremity radiculopathy received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence disability is rated at 40 percent effective December 2, 2022.,Earlier effective dates of October 8, 2016, are granted for the service-connected urinary incontinence, lower back condition; thoracic (mid) back pain; lumbago, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, and bursitis, left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal in writing, requesting to cancel the 'Appeal Requests' that were on docketed status. The Board dismissed the appeal as it no longer had jurisdiction due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and limitation of flexion of the right knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for left hand torn tendons was dismissed as he withdrew his claim during the hearing. The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and a rating of 70 percent for other specified trauma-and stressor-related disorder with persistent depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain has been granted service connection.,Separate ratings of 10% each have been granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma related disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination.

The Board has identified new evidence that was not previously considered and requests its review before making a final decision on the appeal. The Veteran is given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right piriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve, and related hip conditions due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's rotoscoliosis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease L4-S1 with spinal stenosis, right knee strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service accident. The decision also notes that these disabilities are due to or a complication of his previously service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve has been assigned a separate 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for the low back disability was denied prior to September 23, 2002, from June 22, 2022 forward, and for left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 22, 2009 forward. The Veteran's neck disability claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve are being remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any neck, shoulder, and sciatic disabilities. The Veteran is required to appear for an examination or provide a records-review medical opinion if she does not.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck disability and right hip disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her neck disability, which she contends was caused by a fall in service, and an increased rating for her right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were initially granted with effective dates of February 6, 2014. The Veteran disagrees with these effective dates.,The Board finds that the earliest date for which service connection can be established is February 6, 2014.