Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gout, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle sprain, lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, gastrointestinal pain associated with Gulf War undiagnosed illness, and headaches associated with Gulf War undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20 percent rating. The cases of subcutaneous cyst of the lower back and tension headaches have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 13, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as his disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 16, 2015 and from June 16, 2015 to September 30, 2019. From October 1, 2019 forward, the Veteran's sciatic radulopathy was denied a rating in excess of 60 percent.,The Veteran's low back disorder was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 13, 2009 and from June 1, 2009 forward.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Effective September 15, 2017 to September 18, 2019, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated, but his left knee replacement is being remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered further development due to insufficient rationale in the addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower extremity symptoms. The VA examiner is asked to provide an additional addendum opinion with complete rationale for all opinions presented.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities prior to December 3, 2012 was granted a disability rating of 20 percent. The appellant is not entitled to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to June 6, 2016. The AOJ is instructed to request additional information from the Veteran about his income and earnings during relevant years.

Right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as due to service-connected L4-5 degenerative joint disease with stenosis.,A right shoulder disability is denied as not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and development, including service connection claims for various conditions and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities from December 15, 2014 are denied. The current evaluations of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability and 20 percent each for the right and left lower extremity disabilities are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and low back disorder, including left leg radiculopathy were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2012. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and bases for denying service connection for a right hip condition, including as secondary to left great toe injury. The Veteran's claim includes sciatic pain, which may be considered a compensable disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has found that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues and potential overlap between some of them.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical disc syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, and hypogonadism due to insufficient evidence or data within the claims file. The Veteran's sleep disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a sleep disorder other than restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 1, 2013. From May 1, 2013 to October 20, 2013 and from January 1, 2014 to January 9, 2014, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.