Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for left and right knee instability from 10% to 0% is void ab initio. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2016 rating decision. The claims for increased ratings for various conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for major depressive disorder and back disability, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

Service connection for eczema, sinusitis, and BPV as secondary to tinnitus has been reopened.,Headaches have been granted service connection. The effective date is July 18, 2017.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted with an effective date of November 8, 2002. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 21, 2012. Effective November 21, 2012, the evidence shows that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain and service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability, including any additional functional loss during flare-ups, and to determine if his radiculopathy is related to his lumbosacral strain or another service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file and requires a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) before deciding the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for stroke, expressive aphasia, right median nerve paralysis, and right sciatic nerve paralysis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation.,Service connection was also granted for neurocognitive disorder as secondary to the same conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease was improperly reduced from 20% to 10%, and the 20% rating is restored. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disorders, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy, as well as the TDIU claim, due to inadequate examination reports regarding causation and aggravation of these conditions by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU being granted.

Your claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been fully granted, and the case is dismissed as there are no longer any disputed issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss and headaches are denied, while his TBI, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy receive initial ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability is remanded. Additionally, the TDIU issue is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.