Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period between February 21, 2013, to May 15, 2014.,TDIU was denied for the period from May 16, 2014, to August 31, 2020. The Veteran's combined rating at this time did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a lumbar disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board is remanding the claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to procedural errors in recognizing the Veteran's VA Forms 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA Hearing Docket. The Veteran's appeal is now under the legacy system, and he must file a timely VA Form 9 or VA 10182 to continue his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and sciatica, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS is denied.,The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for right lower extremity radiculopathy involving sciatic nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving sciatic nerve are granted, but only effective from May 11, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is rated at a 40 percent rating, effective December 1, 2022. Ratings for LLE and RLE radiculopathy are granted at 20 percent from May 13, 2019, and January 21, 2020, respectively.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her lumbar spine, fibromyalgia, bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy, hip and knee disabilities, and cervical spine conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve from 20% to 10%, effective April 1, 2019, was not proper and restored the original 20% rating.

The Board has restored the 20 percent evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

A rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability is granted from April 21, 2009 to July 1, 2013.,Effective March 14, 2023, a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, which were dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding several conditions, including radiculopathy and anxiety disorders. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, due to the appellant's authorized representative requesting withdrawals of all appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. Service connection for neurological disorders of the lower and upper extremities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a recent VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives and to ensure the Veteran is provided adequate opportunity to attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.