Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disability, finding that her condition does not require such assistance.

The Veteran's anxiety and service connection for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) are granted. The restoration of evaluations for various knee conditions, including trochanteric bursitis and patellofemoral arthritis, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to unclear records regarding when functional ankylosis began, inadequate VA examination reports, and the need for additional medical opinions on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for initial ratings for right ankle strain, left ankle tendonitis, and lumbosacral strain (IVDS) are granted with specific disability ratings. The claim for a compensable rating for the service-connected left ankle scar is denied. The claims for initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerves remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, neck pain, lumbar disc degeneration radiculopathy, and left-sided hemiparesis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy, and cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied compensation for left arm nerve damage, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is not due to VA carelessness or negligence and was likely a result of his own actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as she failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the claims being decided based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of initial and non-initial ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as a non-initial rating for spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar radiculopathy, to include on a secondary basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from March 6, 2017 to April 3, 2017. The appeal for TDIU from April 3, 2017 is denied as moot by the 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected back disability is denied. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU prior to March 18, 2014 are met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was assigned a 60 percent disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, effective December 21, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 70 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating. Right lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee strain remain at their current ratings of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right great toe hallux valgus. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to a lack of complete SSA records.