Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU determination. The Social Security Administration records are requested due to their potential relevance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a bilateral ankle condition, a back condition (including sciatica and low back pain), obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence, including service treatment records and VA contract examinations, must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, finding that her current disability is not related to any injury or disease incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete employment information. The issues include rating increases for low back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were rated as 10 percent disabling from September 1, 2013, to June 27, 2018. The rating was increased to 40 percent thereafter for the back disability and to 40 percent for each of the bilateral lower extremities.,The Veteran's back disability is rated under Diagnostic Code 5242-5243, which evaluates diseases and injuries of the spine. The current ratings are based on the range of motion measurements from October 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the connection of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity to his service-connected lumbar strain has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities (sciatic) ratings have been restored to 20 percent effective August 28, 2018. The femoral nerve disabilities remain at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examination. The Veteran's claim is being reopened, but further medical opinions are needed regarding the onset of his disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disability and associated upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for individual unemployability. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies was denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were rated at 20 percent for the entire period from January 27, 2017. The right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were each rated at 40 percent from September 30, 2020 to the present.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear employment status and needs clarification regarding the Veteran's current and past work history.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar of the mid low back is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine and tension headaches, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the left leg, sciatic radiculopathy of the right leg, finger joint pain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, effective from February 11, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spondylosis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar DJD and radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar DJD due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy in each extremity, and MDD are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is also being remanded as there is no indication that the condition is related to service.