Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, including physical therapy records. The Veteran's thoracic degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylosis needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy and has remanded the issue of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent since January 3, 2020.,Prior to January 3, 2020, the Veteran was not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for cervical spine degenerative joint disease status post fusion surgery is granted at a 30 percent level, but the appeal is remanded for further consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is granted as being proximately due to his service-connected lower back disability. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headache disability, and blackout disability due to missing VA treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all available VA medical records from the Veteran's separation date through today and any private medical records that have not yet been associated with the file.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, back, and neurological disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric and insomnia conditions. These issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, are granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding severance of service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome and radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hip, knee, lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, and foot disorders. The VA examiner is requested to provide nexus opinions considering the Veteran's service duties as a combat medic and his reported in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded due to the need for a new VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, presbyopia and astigmatism of the eyes, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, surgical scars on knees, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, total right knee replacement, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinea corporis and onychomycosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rectal fissures/hemorrhoids, malaria residuals, and service connection for TDIU have been granted. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current nerve disability, including radiculopathy, is related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease is rated at a 30 percent rating since January 10, 2017. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and sciatica, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the remaining issues have been withdrawn. The claims of asbestosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis are remanded due to inextricability with other claims.