Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined as the rating assigned for one condition may affect another.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 28, 2015 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for low back disability and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatica). The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of TDIU from July 15, 2015 to May 13, 2016. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess his current range of motion and functional impairment due to pain, and for an opinion on whether his disability is equivalent to ankylosis. Additional records are needed regarding the Veteran's employment history at Perry Point VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the appeal as there are no longer allegations of errors of fact or law to consider.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The evaluation of the lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right lower extremity radiculopathy, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy as these claims have already been granted in full with a 10% rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new medical evidence being added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The VA must now review and consider this additional evidence before making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including peripheral radiculopathy and gluteus disorder. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Issues related to service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are not granted as service connection is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased evaluations of right femoral and right sciatic radiculopathy, indicating complete satisfaction with the current ratings.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain were denied by the Board. The Veteran was previously rated at 20% prior to January 15, 2020, and at 40% thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 26, 2014 due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unemployable prior to October 8, 2018. The case is being remanded for extra-schedular consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as whether there is ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower back degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The criteria for higher ratings were not met.