Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 40 percent rating effective August 18, 2015. The right upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disabilities were not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 6, 2010 to August 20, 2012. For the period prior to January 22, 2018, his PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran and his authorized representative.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent beginning January 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of rating higher than 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability and rating higher than 10 percent for the lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining complete medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are also being considered in light of new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent and no higher.,Diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent and no higher.

The Veteran's lumbar DJD is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from February 19, 2018, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's low back strain and associated radiculopathy were granted a disability rating of 40 percent from January 6, 2015 to February 5, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. An updated VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran’s service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2010. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms as described in medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral sprain with degenerative changes, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to service. The decision is not about service connection, but rather a need for further clarification on the nature of his condition.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran received a higher initial rating of 20 percent for LLER effective May 15, 2019. A TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lower extremity weakness and radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disability is related to a parachute jump during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The appeal regarding the earlier effective date of April 12, 2017 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal of attorney fees as a result of past-due benefits awarded in May 2019, which granted increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's ratings for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were reduced from 20% to 10%, effective January 1, 2020. The appeal is denied as the reduction was proper.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.