Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-scarring residuals resulting from an umbilical hernia repair, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee, and instability of the left knee. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and instability of the right knee are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TBI are all rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has found that remand is necessary for clarification regarding the right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, and associated radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings and unclear onset dates.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and femoral radiculopathy have been evaluated based on their respective diagnostic codes. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims for higher initial disability ratings and TDIU prior to October 4, 2016 can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's radiculopathies of the left lower extremity have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that his disabilities warranted a higher rating based on limitation of motion or associated neurologic conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 6, 2010, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted a 20 percent initial rating from July 9, 2019. The Board found that symptoms were moderate in severity for the entire initial rating period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The cases are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent since July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms have generally been assessed as mild and moderate.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy need to be re-evaluated.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in this case was inadequate and remanded for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neurologic disability of the bilateral lower extremities, to include sciatica, is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5243 for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and he was also denied a higher rating for his right leg radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine DDD with radiculopathy to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are related to service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's right hip DJD is granted service connection and the claims for increased ratings of lumbar DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar spine disability and for ratings in excess of 10 percent each for both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examination records and failure to discuss these issues in the previous decision.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been granted increased ratings to 20 percent effective April 13, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased ratings as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy, finding that his condition is primarily manifested by pain and most analogous to mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his back condition, left lower radiculopathy, and headaches. The claims are also remanded to obtain service entrance records and INACDUTRA status information.