Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right total knee replacement, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, right leg disability (radiculopathy), and left leg disability (radiculopathy) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine with degenerative changes and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or neurological impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he has been employed as a commercial delivery truck driver for several years.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to additional evidence received after the last rating decision, and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been evaluated at the lowest available ratings (10% for each). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has also been evaluated at the lowest available rating (10%). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 20 percent, granting an increased rating. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be obtained before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining audiogram results from VA treatment records and reviewing all new evidence submitted since the last decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, PTSD, and a right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorder.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve: increased ratings for both lower extremities, and effective dates prior to September 30, 2017, for service connection. The remand is due to insufficient information provided by the VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's claim did not show entitlement to this condition prior to December 31, 2012.

The Veteran's right eye disability is not service-connected, but he was granted secondary service connection for his bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. His involuntary muscle twitch and left eye disabilities remain unconnected to service.,The Veteran has been awarded a TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy of the right arm, and low back pain as they are no longer relevant due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities from October 15, 2009 to July 11, 2011.