Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and GERD. The remand requires additional development to address inconsistencies in diagnoses, assess functional loss due to flare-ups, and determine whether the Veteran’s symptoms are attributable to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various diabetic neuropathies have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues with his claim for cervical spondylosis. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on a schedular basis from November 8, 2017. The Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 22, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment of compensation under that criterion. The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran is permanently and substantially confined to his home due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's back condition and nerve conditions are being examined again due to his reported worsening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, bilateral hip arthritis, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 9, 2006. The decision grants a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and its relationship to his service-connected lumbar myositis.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the right knee meniscectomy and granted effective dates of November 25, 2003 for service connection of upper extremity radiculopathies. The cervical strain claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left lower extremity condition is related to service, and whether any arthritis is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including addressing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability and bilateral radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and cervical radiculopathy, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve branches in both legs, effective March 27, 2017.,The Veteran's femoral nerve branch conditions were not rated higher.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The rating for his back condition, radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve are denied. The left knee lateral instability is granted a 10% rating effective May 20, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and lumbar radiculopathy due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, esophageal hiatal hernia with narrowing of esophagogastric junction, unspecified anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis with calcified peri-tendinosis in both shoulders, and dermatitis, eczematous, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities.