Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has reopened and granted service connection for several conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy. The claims were previously denied due to lack of current disabilities or no disease/injury in service.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure. His hypertension is related to service. The right knee, abdominal pain (IBS), GERD, and dysphagia issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) was rated at 10% from November 5, 2012 to October 8, 2013 and increased to 40% effective October 8, 2013. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was initially rated at 10%, effective November 29, 2013, and later increased to 20% from January 8, 2015.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires another remand for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA neurologist.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of February 10, 2020. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2011 for the award of a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right lower extremity sciatica. The issues of higher initial ratings for the back disability and left lower extremity sciatica are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20% before October 28, 2020 and at 30% from that date on. The low back disability is rated at 10% before October 28, 2020 and at 20% from that date on. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 20%. These ratings have been granted.

All claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues on appeal except for his claims for an increased rating for headaches and a TDIU.,For the entire appeal period from July 29, 2013 to present, a rating of 50 percent has been granted for service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity sciatica and remanded the cases of left hip disorder and right hip disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal includes the overall rating(s) assigned for left leg neurological symptoms of the femoral and sciatic nerves. The Board finds that a complete neurological assessment is required to determine the character and severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sacroiliitis, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy due to incomplete VA examination reports. The case is returned to the examiner for additional opinions regarding the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension and left sciatic nerve impairment are service-connected, but the claim for a separate rating for diabetes-related onychomycosis is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to August 6, 2019 and a rating of 40 percent is granted thereafter. Separate ratings are also granted for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left leg, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to March 2, 2018. Additional development is required including obtaining service treatment records, personnel records, updated VA treatment records, and addendum medical opinions.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for low back strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide a new peripheral nerves examination with diagnostic testing, and address the etiology of the Veteran's left lower extremity symptoms.

The Board has restored service connection for Other Specified Trauma and Stress-Related Disorder (OSTSRD) effective February 2, 2016. The issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,His left foot bunionectomy and residual scar are currently rated appropriately, with no higher schedular rating being warranted.