Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions. His IVDS of the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are not rated higher than their current levels, while his binocular visual field defect remains at its current level.

The Veteran's back injury surgery with degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, but not higher.,A separate rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective from February 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete information in his medical records, including lack of updated opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide employment information from previous employers.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent.,Throughout the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied due to the Veteran's ability to drive and ambulate despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 20 percent disability rating from July 23, 2018 to July 22, 2019. On and after July 23, 2019, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back strain.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are related to his military service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disability, diagnosed as posterior tibial tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, elbow, foot, hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, neck, back, GERD, hypertension, and eye conditions. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or incident that could be linked to these conditions.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability related to the claimed ankle, elbow, foot, hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, neck, back, GERD, hypertension, or eye disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained prior to the November 2019 decision on appeal were inadequate and do not address the Veteran's lay statements or in-service reports of pain.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and joint disease is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has remanded this issue due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the condition warrants an increased evaluation. For his TDIU claim since May 18, 2011, the Veteran meets the requirements as he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating based on limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the inadequacy of his most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective dates for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been granted. The effective date is set at December 13, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of increased ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to July 10, 2014 is being remanded for further review due to the physical limitations caused by his back and right leg disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis effective May 26, 2010. The decision found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 31, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.