Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye condition, hemorrhoids, lumbar strain, and right lower extremity sciatica have been granted.,An earlier effective date of October 28, 2016, has been granted for the awards of compensable evaluations for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional information and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee, and left hip disabilities. The VA will obtain more detailed retrospective medical opinions on the severity of these conditions during a specific period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, bilateral flat feet, and sleep apnea. The conditions are considered to have started during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar myositis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to the need for further proceedings, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection and the onset of his psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, right hip disability, left hip disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left leg disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left sciatica, finding that the Veteran's condition was first noted during service and continued since then. The decision is based on the chronic disease presumption.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of evidence, including missing medical records and lack of examination opinions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the initial disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's current evaluation of his radiculopathy is inadequate, and a new examination is needed. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether he has a sleep disorder related to or aggravated by his radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the nerves.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as its secondary or aggravation by a service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased rating for LUE radiculopathy and service connection claims for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 26, 2018. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to attend previous examinations. The issues include increased disability ratings, initial disability ratings, and TDIU.