Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not service-connected as there was no in-service diagnosis and no current disability.,Right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right hip condition, and left hip condition are not service-connected due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or illness.,Low back disability is not service-connected because the Veteran did not sustain any in-service incident, illness, or injury related to this condition.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also not service-connected as they are secondary to a nonservice-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy are now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to a back disability, and TDIU due to issues with the service records provided. The claims will be reviewed again by VA examiners to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and active military service.,There is no medical or other competent evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, upper extremity radiculopathies, to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational experience, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain private treatment records and arrange for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has ordered another remand due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and the need for a more adequate opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic and femoral nerve impairment), and TDIU claims are all subject to further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, internal saphenous nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disorder and radiculopathy of the upper extremities have been denied due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) from February 15, 2023. The Veteran's other claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his work history and lay statements regarding his ability to perform as an electrician or support technician.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder alone precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his other service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded.

Effective dates of June 21, 2016 are granted for the service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The lumbar spine disability rating is restored to 50% effective June 21, 2016. The claim of a compensable scar rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues related to lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a claim for TDIU prior to January 17, 2019. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation & Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claim and remands for further development, including obtaining retrospective range of motion estimates.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.