Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related conditions, render him unable to continue working in any substantially gainful capacity. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection and evaluations related to various conditions, including constipation, left ankle fracture, fatigue and insomnia, cervical spine disability, ganglion cyst of the left knee, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle surgery.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations of service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities due to incomplete information in previous VA examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is granted a 40% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability and right leg sciatica are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy and dysthymic disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is granted. The claim for increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, rated 10 percent prior to January 17, 2017 and 40 percent since then, is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee limitation of flexion are also denied. A rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral meniscus tear is granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 26, 2018 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum VA opinion regarding service connection and aggravation of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the hearing loss and tinnitus claims, granted a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities (sciatic nerve), but discontinued separate ratings for femoral nerves due to pyramiding. Service connection was not established for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a rating of 40% from August 1, 2012 to August 3, 2019. Since then, the claim for a higher rating has been denied. The right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities have also had their ratings denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder disorder is remanded. He also has claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy, which are also remanded.,There are issues with effective dates for dependency benefits, service connection, and disabilities related to the Veteran's cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy. These issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his lower extremities, lumbar spine, ankles, feet, and kidneys due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability is remanded due to evidence showing the disability worsened prior to June 8, 2012. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and radiculopathy in the upper extremities due to incomplete factual assumptions in the April 2017 VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including left upper lobe granulomatous infection with pulmonary nodule, was reopened and granted effective June 20, 2013. An effective date of June 20, 2013, but no earlier, is assigned for the award of service connection. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 15, 2008 remains denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent each leg. The Board finds no evidence supporting ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests that Social Security Administration records be obtained.