Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to back disability due to its inextricable link with the pending issue of service connection for back disability.

The appeal as to service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerve is denied.

The Board denied effective dates prior to September 29, 2022 for service connection of residuals of a lumbar compression fracture, RLE radiculopathy, and a surgical scar of the low back.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) and allowing the Veteran to opt-in to the AMA system if desired.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher, for hypertension. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim based on a single service-connected disability prior to April 9, 2015 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been granted. Service connection is established for tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, residual (nerve damage) s/p fracture right thumb, radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) left lower extremity, and radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has determined that updated medical records and new VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy/neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's low back strain and degenerative disc disease are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with GERD is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's tendonitis of the right ankle is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's residuals from injury to the left ankle are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board has also remanded several other claims for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica in both lower extremities due to outstanding service treatment records from Castle Air Force Base that have not been obtained.

The Board has restored service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 20 percent prior to November 8, 2019, for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left foot radiculopathy, sciatic nerve was granted a 60 percent rating as of March 1, 2018. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is being remanded.