Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar disorder, migraines, ovarian cysts, sarcoidosis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2009. The Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service is necessary for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and leg conditions have been denied. The effective date for the TDIU and DEA benefits has been set at February 4, 2010.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating in excess of 40 percent for status post lumbar laminectomy with degenerative joint disease or right/left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, right and left lower extremity neuritis, and denied service connection for right and left sacroiliac joint dysfunction as secondary to service-connected bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome with MTSS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no pending claim or increase in symptomatology within the one-year period prior to his May 3, 2018, claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, all secondary to the Veteran's low back disorders.

The Veteran withdrew their service connection claims for multiple conditions, including left knee, left ankle, sciatic nerve, right knee, back, and right ankle conditions. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD was granted effective September 17, 2020, which also established his need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) due to inadequate VA examination reports. A new examination is required.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 2, 2018 for service connection on all five conditions: intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right shoulder strain, hypertension, right Achilles' tendon tear, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and specially adapted housing, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of DDD with IVDS was granted, along with separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date is set at September 5, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since December 22, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine and sciatic nerve radiculopathy conditions are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs condition is also being remanded for additional development.,Service connection for an eye condition to include glaucoma is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and left leg numbness, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence being associated with the case file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to individual unemployability due to two or more disabilities, one of which is 40 percent or more with a combined evaluation of 70 percent or more. However, the Board finds that the March 2022 VA examination and opinion are inadequate as they do not address how the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy impacts his ability to perform sedentary work in an 8-hour workday.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are both granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for an initial higher rating than 10 percent for left knee disability, a rating higher than 10 percent for right knee disability, and service connection for sciatica in the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.,The VA has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and evaluations in excess of 20 and 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.