Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related nerve impairments are rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 40% granted for the period prior to August 12, 2015. Ratings in excess of these were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy/radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected back disability due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, accessory navicular bone stress fractures of both feet, hypertension, and TDIU. The Board also noted that the Veteran's address has changed and requested appropriate action to reschedule him for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant paid for his burial expenses and filed a timely claim. The Board found that the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits were met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip disability, back disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and leg radiculopathies, are not considered sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from September 25, 2005, to October 29, 2010.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's spine, shoulder, and knee conditions due to incomplete development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment.,An increased 20 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for the right shoulder/collarbone disability from November 12, 2010 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for the left thumb fracture from November 3, 2011 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for the right ankle is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for the left knee is denied.,An increased 20 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 4, 2011 to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for sciatic radiculopathy in the right lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and a need for AOJ review. The issues include right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity peripheral nerve disability (including radiculopathy and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome), effective date for PTSD, and a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of RLE and LLE radiculopathy, as well as TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 30% from July 10, 2015 to July 30, 2019. The rating for degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy were both denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, headaches, and high blood pressure have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection has also not been granted for spinal stenosis, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, a low back disability, and tinea pedis. The appeals are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to eczema and other service-connected disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current sinusitis, sciatic nerve disabilities, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, nor does the evidence show that he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis.