Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back condition and related radiculopathies, left shoulder strain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of May 2, 1977.,Effective from September 13, 2011, the Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy ratings are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sciatica in either her right or left lower extremities, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar strain with scoliosis, render him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective dates in the AMA system due to procedural defects. The issues remain pending in the legacy review system.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The Veteran's left knee strain is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty. The VA finds the references in the medical records are inaccurate and that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability.,For the right upper extremity nerve disability, the Veteran has moderate incomplete paralysis which warrants a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8513. For the left upper extremity nerve disability (previously rated as carpal tunnel syndrome), the Veteran has mild incomplete paralysis of both median nerves which warrants a 20 percent rating each.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a single VA examination assessing both his right shoulder disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, increased ratings for lumbar strain and radiculopathy have been dismissed as withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity disability, right upper extremity disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection on a secondary basis for pulmonary embolism and its residuals, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's conditions are all related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's back scar is rated at a noncompensable rate under Diagnostic Code 7805, but her pain warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. The effective date of April 6, 2017, has been granted for both ratings.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is the primary focus of these remands.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right leg disability, which may be related to in-service injuries. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development of his records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU based on extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine compression fracture residuals, left upper extremity radiculopathy, low back strain, and left flank/hip disabilities are remanded for further development due to the need for new examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's urge incontinence and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not granted effective dates earlier than October 30, 2020.,Service connection for right breast cancer status post mastectomy is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure.