Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a 20 percent rating, effective September 14, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the left dorsal olecranon enthesophyte of the elbow, finding that it began during active service. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it does not have jurisdiction over this issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severance of service connection for radiculopathy and ratings for back strain and knee conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings assignable based on current evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity sciatica required immediate medical attention on February 15, 2016. The nearest VA facility with an emergency department was 123 miles away, making it infeasible to use them beforehand. Therefore, the Board finds that payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lehigh Regional Medical Center is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, ankle, spine, and shoulder conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran's depression has been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board vacated its March 19, 2019 decision that remanded the claim for an earlier effective date and granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The original effective date of March 19, 2013 was already in place.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's original claim for bilateral ear condition was denied in January 1980. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability is remanded.,The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis at L5-S1, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neck disability, including cervical spondylosis and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar lordosis, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a VA examination by a neurosurgeon.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VRC evaluation and need for a new assessment of his employment feasibility given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue a medical career is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision and need for further evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was granted. The increased rating claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back conditions due to inadequate examination findings, failure to consider all relevant medical history, and lack of VA treatment records postdating February 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied. The rating for migraine headaches was maintained at 10 percent prior to October 16, 2019, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 15, 2010 for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.,PTSD with alcohol abuse has been granted with a 70% rating.