Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The reduction in disability rating for his cervical spine condition was improper and restored to 20 percent effective August 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to provide a VA examination and perform necessary development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various hip and shoulder conditions, as well as radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, all effective December 1, 2014.,No earlier effective dates were granted due to the lack of supporting evidence in the claims file at the time of the initial rating decision.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 40 percent or higher for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that these earlier effective dates are not warranted as there is no evidence showing an increase in disability prior to April 18, 2019.,The Veteran's radiculopathy has been rated based on severity since October 1, 2013, and the current ratings have been upheld. The Board did not find any earlier effective dates as there is no factual basis for such a determination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple conditions, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, gastrointestinal disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea, was denied. The appeals were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected right rotator cuff strain is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from June 4, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are each granted initial ratings of at least 20 percent. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issue of TDIU and initial disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issues regarding the initial ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities remain under remand.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of all four extremities, including the left and right upper and lower extremities, based on in-service injuries related to combat operations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's spine and extremity disabilities are being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the severity of his conditions, particularly during flare-ups or with repeated use.,The Veteran's skin disability is also being remanded due to unclear onset and systemic therapy status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease was denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the Veteran was granted TDIU effective from August 10, 2022, and referred for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, essential tremor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were reopened.,Service connection was granted for cervical spine, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip and leg disabilities, finding no medical evidence of a current condition related to military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.