Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. Separate ratings were granted for bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve impairments effective September 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her in-service injuries and exposure. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records, including those from her reserve component time, and seek clarification on any reported exposure to pollution or toxins.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, as well as T-11 and T-12 compression fracture residuals with lumbar IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's initial rating for a cervical spine disability is denied prior to May 24, 2019 and thereafter. A TDIU on a schedular basis from August 23, 2011 to February 20, 2015 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to June 19, 2017 due to his employment status and income records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical evidence and expert opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesias, and right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesias before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for acquired psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy in the right lower extremity was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, effective October 29, 2020.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective September 21, 2019. The left leg radiculopathy is also granted a 20% rating for the period since August 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, reproductive disorder, headache disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sciatica/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis, degenerative changes with disc extrusion and herniation due to a lack of adequate examination.,For all other issues on appeal, the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for fatigue and remanded the claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disability is analogous to no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 27, 2020 most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Veteran’s LLE radiculopathy did not manifest as complete or severe incomplete paralysis at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a staged initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve); and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.