Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

An evaluation greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is being remanded.,An evaluation greater than 10 percent for bilateral Achilles tendonitis with limitation of ankle motion prior to July 20, 2016 is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he did not provide the necessary information to show he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a complete discharge summary of the Veteran's August 4, 2014 emergency room treatment at Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee, back, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, was granted with a 40 percent disability rating effective February 1, 2007. The appeal for earlier effective dates is denied.

For the period prior to May 1, 2015, the Veteran's chronic low back strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,From May 1, 2015 onward, the Veteran's chronic low back strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left arm disability, as well as his claims for a right knee disability and sciatic nerve impairment. The issues include determining whether he is entitled to an increased rating for his left arm limitation of motion, residual of injury, and whether he should be granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability is denied. Her current 40% evaluation remains in effect, effective October 21, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 21, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and the TDIU claim are denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service connected as secondary to his healed fracture of the left radius and ulna. However, he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to multiple disabilities including cervical spine and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 40 percent effective July 15, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU from July 15, 2009 to January 26, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.,A separate compensable rating (10%) has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle degenerative joint disease, right hip replacement, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), painful surgical scar due to hip replacement, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development and lack of a medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims in an Appeals Satisfaction Notice filed in August 2020.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathies are rated at a 40 percent rating since August 29, 2007. The right femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent from July 13, 2015 to July 8, 2019 and at 20 percent thereafter. The left femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since July 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and effective date issues are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinea pedis with tinea cruris, as it did not cover more than 40% of his body or exposed areas. For other conditions, the preponderance of the evidence was against finding a direct relationship to service.