Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability has been granted a 20 percent rating, effective October 24, 2014. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his wife regarding in-service injuries and their ongoing effects.

The Veteran's severe chronic L3, L4, L5, S1 radiculopathy is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus and shin splints. Ratings of 20 percent are granted for tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back disability, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left hip arthroplasty, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they were not shown during active service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of a left radius fracture was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for left wrist DJD was also denied, with no higher rating supported by the medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent. The issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including secondary to the service-connected thoracic spine disability, is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The dismissal of the upper and lower back claim is upheld.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and rheumatoid arthritis of the hand are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The regional office will review this evidence and consider its impact on the claims.

The Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings and TDIU were denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such determinations.,The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions, including lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder, are adequately contemplated by the current schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with examinations and development of his claims. The claims are being returned for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations regarding these claims were inadequate and remanded for further action. The Veteran's hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye blindness, back disability, right hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability (depression) are all being reviewed due to their inextricable connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from finding and maintaining gainful employment since the filing of his claim in June 2005.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip and knee conditions, as well as bilateral lymphedema, due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from February 9, 2016 to February 22, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy was reopened. Service connection is granted for the back condition, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not submitted or received regarding the October 2016 rating decision and the August 2017 SOC, which denied service connection for sciatic nerve damage/pain due to the lower back.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraines is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's migraine headaches are etiologically linked to his active duty service and grants this claim. However, the claims for lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical strain with degenerative arthritis are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions and missing translations of documents. The issues include service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.