Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's contentions are being reviewed with an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's detached retina with decreased vision began during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacy of a VA examination report and unclear findings regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the receipt of new VA treatment records. The AOJ will be given an opportunity to consider these records in their first instance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as the disability has already been granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted, with all doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical strain and associated radiculopathy are rated based on their severity, with the rating being adjusted over time. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's symptoms in May 2012 and June 2014, as well as any associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar IVDS and associated lower extremity radicular disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, achilles tendonitis, and sinusitis, have precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 26, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these disabilities prevented her from working.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee instability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development of medical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The issues include a trachea disorder, left knee laxity, DJD, DDD, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, urinary frequency, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand requires additional examinations and a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagitis was granted service connection during his period of active service. The right shoulder disability, IVDS with cervical degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. TDIU benefits are granted from June 5, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and likely cause of any lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities. The issues remain in remanded status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his back condition, shoulder strains, and radiculopathies. The AOJ must issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to knee, foot, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. The Board has determined that these issues require further development due to the complexity of the medical evidence.