Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, lumbar strain, cervical fusion, and radiculopathy. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records from the Veteran's treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of multiple conditions were granted effective October 1, 2011.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2020. The Board also granted eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be more disabling than currently (or initially) evaluated. The Board finds that a more contemporaneous VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and lumbar and sacral disc degeneration and arthritis, have resulted in loss of use of his lower extremities. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance. However, his claim for special home adaptation grant has been denied as moot.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service, including chemical exposure.

The Veteran's disability ratings for back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were improperly reduced. The effective dates of the reductions are not specified, but they occurred after February 8, 2016, and July 5, 2017 respectively.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and rating determinations. The specific issues are tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as right leg condition), and a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the left wrist and fingers, including rheumatoid arthritis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to January 28, 2020, a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability is denied. From January 28, 2020 onwards, a rating in excess of 40 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's lower back disability and associated radiculopathy have been granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent, effective January 22, 2018. Additional development is needed for other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and lumbar radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The cases for increased disability ratings for right elbow, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were found to be present prior to March 29, 2013. The Board granted a separate evaluation for right leg radiculopathy from the beginning of the appeal period. The issues regarding IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, lower back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of his service connection claims. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records, conduct additional examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was denied ratings in excess of the assigned 10 percent and 20 percent ratings for the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, and femoral nerve of both lower extremities.,TDIU was remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including assessments of the Veteran's lumbar spine myositis and associated neurologic complications, as well as his service-connected skin disability. The claims are not about service connection but rather about increased ratings and compensation.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radicular pain or paresthesia, as well as his neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), are considered secondary to his low back disability. The Veteran is currently rated at the minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tonsillitis, bladder dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and erectile dysfunction are denied.,Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was not found to warrant a higher rating prior to December 16, 2019. From that date, the disability was also not found to warrant a higher rating.