Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to neck pain due to a failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that her current condition is related to military service and began in service in 1991.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at moderately severe incomplete paralysis since November 1, 2023. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the appropriate rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of right sciatic radiculopathy and right femoral radiculopathy have been dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria with his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity was denied. The RO also remanded claims related to scars from breast reduction and left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of a VA examination. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to service or his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's mechanical back syndrome and RLE sciatica were granted increased ratings, but the appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 27, 2020.

The Board found that the Veteran is currently employed as a police officer, which means he cannot meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The effective dates for the ratings assigned are also being remanded.,Additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his service-connected IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to pending appeals in the AMA system that need to be resolved before adjudication can proceed.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial 40 percent ratings, effective from December 23, 2009.,A TDIU rating has also been granted.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and the issue of increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no medical nexus between the claimed conditions and either active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's DDD of the spine is not rated higher than 10 percent.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent.,Bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, effective October 5, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The appeal of service connection for gout was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for extraschedular TDIU from June 15, 2016, to June 22, 2018 due to conflicting evidence of her employment status during the lookback period and a need for additional information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and physical conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for a new evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.