Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and headache disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder (to include radiculopathy), and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination.

An initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted effective April 22, 2003. An initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective October 5, 2016.,A higher rating in excess of 20 percent for both conditions remains remanded.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's residuals from an in-service head injury are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for headaches remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracic back, left jaw numbness, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to additional development of records and examinations.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity sciatica are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches.,Effective March 28, 2017, the Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 20 percent and his psoriasis was granted service connection. The radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities were also granted service connection effective March 28, 2017.,The Veteran is denied an earlier effective date for these grants.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as determine if it is secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in total unemployability, as he has not provided specific information about his employment history and income levels.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar spondylosis, as well as bilateral lumbar radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are causally related to an injury during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, right and left lower extremity sciatica, as well as cervical spine disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for the Veteran's claimed right upper and left upper extremity neuropathies.

The Board has ordered an additional medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes, radiculopathy and CAD. The opinion must also consider if obesity played a role in causing or aggravating the condition.

The Board has restored the original ratings of 40 percent for postoperative disc surgery with lumbsacral spine residuals and 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective January 1, 2017. The Veteran's symptoms remained at least at 40 percent levels for the back and 20 percent levels for the RLE during the entire period at issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and a neurologic disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, to include peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy. The back disorder is related to an in-service helicopter crash, while the neurologic disorder is secondary to the now service-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection as they are related to his in-service combat injuries.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The remaining issues of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, SMC for aid and attendance, and TDIU are remanded.