Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's rotoscoliosis of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating, effective September 26, 2017. The issues regarding higher initial ratings for right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve involvement have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective December 8, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 31, 2010 to May 31, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU rating for this period.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's entitlement to equipment purchases under the VR&E program. The first issue is about a sleep number bed, and the second is about a walk-in tub. Further development is needed for both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and its neurological manifestations are remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the disability.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding past-due benefits and service connection for bilateral pes planus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's right and left sciatic nerve pain is not service-connected, as it is caused by his nonservice-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran was employed prior to March 22, 2017, which precludes a TDIU at that time.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left leg disability and colon cancer need further development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in October 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities precluding substantially gainful employment.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability in accordance with VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 14, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine condition, right knee condition, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected cervical spine condition.,Service connection is denied for left hip strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues: a higher rating for neck disability, a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU. The remand requires further development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder resulted in prescribed bed rest.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, bilateral lumbar neuropathy sciatic nerve condition as secondary to his back condition, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on medical evidence that supports a finding of in-service injury and current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for CRDP payments prior to September 1, 2014 was denied. The Board also found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and ordered the RO to send the Veteran a notification letter regarding an October 2017 audit indicating he was entitled to a retroactive compensation payment of $984.00 for the period from January 2017 to May 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shin disability and left shin disability. The Veteran's claims of in-service injury are not supported by the evidence, which does not contain any indication that he currently suffers from these disabilities.,For his back disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and hand disabilities, the Board has remanded the claims as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The noninitial MDD rating claim is remanded for further examination.