Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with service-connected cervical spine strain has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and for TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, and scar do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as regulation of activities is not required to manage DM. For TDIU prior to February 12, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health disorder. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and no nexus to service has been established.

The Board has found that the Veteran missed scheduled examinations for his claimed conditions and has ordered them to be rescheduled. The claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in January and August 2020 do not substantially comply with the remand directives, necessitating further development to obtain addendum opinions regarding pain levels during range of motion testing and functional loss due to repetitive use.

Effective dates of September 3, 2004 and January 26, 2012 have been granted for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine DDD prior to September 9, 2019 was granted. A separate compensable rating of 20 percent for RLE sciatic radiculopathy beginning May 8, 2012 is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity was dismissed.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease from August 4, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected lumbar spine strain, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbar spine disability, gastritis, radiculopathy of the lower extremity, hypertension, and right achilles disability) have rendered him unemployable since July 18, 2019. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to January 11, 2019, due to his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a 10 percent rating, and his lumbar strain prior to June 11, 2019, is granted at a 40 percent rating. A higher rating for lumbar strain beyond this date is denied, as well as the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was denied. A 20 percent initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve from March 8, 2016, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back disabilities have been denied. The lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis are all rated as they currently stand.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities, as he reported worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in August 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence or changes in his condition since the last examination. The issues include back conditions, left leg radiculopathy, spinal fusion scars, testicular conditions, and buttocks conditions.