Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or exposure, and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy other than right and left leg sciatica as it is not related to service. The issues were remanded.

The Veteran's right thigh scar, headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and neck disability have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral vestibular disease remain denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of December 1, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and diabetic neuropathy were denied increased ratings.,TDIU was granted from July 24, 2014 to July 15, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 23, 2008 and denied a higher rating. From January 23, 2008, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent and also denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral occipital neuralgia was initially rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded both issues for further evaluation due to the need for a medical examination and clarification of diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and incomplete information. The Veteran's claims of higher disability ratings for his service-connected conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and anxiety disorder, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and various neurologic conditions in the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection due to lack of in-service onset or exposure.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on her disability ratings. The Veteran is also required to provide clarification about her employment history during a specific period.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50% rating from September 23, 2014 to April 14, 2015. Since then, the claim has been remanded for further action on other issues.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The reasons for this are that the most recent VA examination was conducted almost eleven years ago, which is deemed insufficient given the potential worsening of the conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated as 40 percent disabling since June 1, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are separately service-connected and rated at 10 percent each prior to August 30, 2019, and 20 percent each thereafter. The Veteran's femoral nerve involvement is rated at 30 percent from August 30, 2019.,The Board denied a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied a compensable rating from March 31, 2011 to November 4, 2019 and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from November 4, 2019.,For radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, a 20 percent evaluation was granted effective November 4, 2019. For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a 20 percent evaluation was also granted effective November 4, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy affecting the left lower extremity and granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted prior to August 28, 2020.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent disability rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective September 23, 2020.,For the period prior to September 23, 2020, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the exception of his right knee and back issues which are remanded. The Veteran also has higher ratings for his mechanical low back syndrome and limitation of flexion of the right knee.