Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is remanded due to insufficient information provided by the VA medical examination. The examiner did not address all aspects of the condition, including the lower radicular group and functional impairments during flare-ups.

The Veteran's ascending aortic aneurysm is rated at 100% effective February 16, 2016. His hypertension is rated at 20%. The remaining conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, with some issues remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted service connection. For the period on appeal, her back disability was rated at 40 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with annular tear and increased to 20 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities prior to October 18, 2023.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, kidney disease, left knee disability, liver disease, neck disability, radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities, skin disability with trophic changes, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are less than total when considering his combined schedular rating and the fact that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings, finding that a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted prior to October 11, 2021 and that a rating higher than 40 percent has been unwarranted since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inaccuracies in the factual basis of previous opinions and the need for clarification. The Veteran is requested to provide authorizations for any private medical records, and VA will obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from February 26, 2014, but prior to August 10, 2022. The rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted at 40 percent as of December 30, 2021. TDIU benefits were granted effective from February 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection was also established for tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left ear hearing loss effective January 18, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disability post total knee arthroplasty, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology and relationship between his current conditions and military service. The issues include lower back condition, right sciatica, left sciatica, and coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical examination, incomplete record retrieval, and inextricable interconnection with his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection related to multiple conditions, including PTSD, TBI, low back disability, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, hearing loss, and a left orbital contusion. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from working from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica due to in-service injury. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Veteran's ulnar deviation and brachial plexus radiculopathy, left upper extremity, claimed as peripheral neuropathy left hand, is remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The examiner will assess whether VA carelessness or negligence caused the condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's radiculopathy-left extremity sciatic nerve and remanded the issues regarding earlier effective date for TDIU and increased rating for lumbosacral spine.