Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes with erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than 20 percent. The Veteran's RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent, effective from February 19, 2016. Ratings for the right and left femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy remain at 20 percent. Ratings for the right and left sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are granted at 40 percent as of September 28, 2022. The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and post-operative gynecomastia was granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for left hip limitation of extension and left thigh impairment. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities has been granted a separate initial 10 percent rating from February 7, 1998, through April 9, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent effective March 18, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted effective on the same date.

The Veteran is granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for his low back disability, effective from November 13, 2016.,Effective May 22, 2017, the Veteran is also granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical DDD, C5-C6, have been granted increased evaluations.,Separate evaluations for LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, and RUE radiculopathy have also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability and left shoulder disability, are found to have caused his psychiatric disorder.,Effective March 28, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his aggravated congenital absence of pectoralis major in the left shoulder.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper right arm is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for this condition.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,There is no evidence to support service connection for hypertension or radiculopathy of the right leg.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are not supported by the evidence and have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy were rated at 40 percent prior to December 10, 2016. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or qualifying incapacitating episodes.,A higher rating for the period prior to December 10, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back pain, and bilateral lower extremity conditions have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated based on their service-connected status. The Board has found that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding his PTSD, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to December 5, 2019, but not higher. Other issues remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2022 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate development. Specifically, the Board finds that another VA examination and opinion is required for his anemia claim, neck disability claim, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity claim, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity claim, right foot pes planus claim, and left foot pes planus claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The case is now returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy is being requested to be examined again to determine if it was incurred as a result of a fall from a horse in service in 1982.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence and further development is needed. The Veteran's lay statements suggest a possible secondary relationship between his service-connected left knee condition and his current lumbosacral strain and sciatica.

Your claims for increased disability ratings for your right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been dismissed because the Board's previous decision is final.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed shoulder and leg disabilities, as well as the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development.