Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for various spinal, hip, and knee conditions, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both currently rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board granted these ratings.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, while his left lower extremity is rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for the left lower extremity and granted this rating for the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher ratings are warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for nerve damage of the right foot great toe and lumbar spine disability due to further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of the record, including the need to obtain private treatment records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, left leg sciatica secondary to a service-connected lower back condition, and right hip strain. The claims for these conditions are all considered resolved.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development due to a significant change in his employment status and the need to reassess whether he has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity disability due to lack of medical nexus opinions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine IVDS is rated at 30 percent for the entire appeal period.,A 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy effective May 20, 2021, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bladder disability, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbosacral spine due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to confirm diagnoses and determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities with radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, attributing these conditions to a motor vehicle accident in service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to an inadequate VA examination and because of the inextricably intertwined nature with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain, left and right upper extremity neuropathy (likely radiculopathy), and chronic myofascial pian syndrome of the cervical spine have been granted initial ratings. The issue of service connection for retrolisthesis of the cervical spine is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran is entitled to a full review of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claims for tinnitus and intravertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine were granted. The Veteran received a 40 percent evaluation for his service-connected intravertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine prior to June 15, 2017.

Service connection is granted for headaches, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and thoracolumbar spine disorder.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), RIGHT ankle disorder, LEFT knee disorder, RIGHT knee disorder, radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity, radiculopathy of the LEFT lower extremity, and cervical spine / neck disorder.,Service connection is remanded for radiculopathy of the RIGHT upper extremity and radiculopathy of the LEFT upper extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereto.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as there is no evidence of complete paralysis, such as foot dangling or loss of active movement.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, shoulder, and sciatic disabilities due to an inadequate August 2021 VA opinion. The Veteran's testimony regarding her belief that in-service duties caused her current problems is considered.