Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right lower extremity nerve pain, left lower extremity nerve pain, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's residual scars from breast reduction surgery are rated at 30% effective July 15, 2019. The rating for chronic lumbar strain with facet arthropathy is granted but not in excess of 10%. Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is separately rated at 20%.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, with separate ratings for radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities.,The initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remains at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,From August 14, 2015, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a left hip condition are being remanded due to procedural issues. The effective date for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is not yet determined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis, sleep apnea, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral lower extremity numbness), acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches, all secondary to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, effective December 2, 2013. The decision is based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is being remanded for further examination and rating. Other service connection claims are also being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for intervertebral disc degeneration at C5, C6, and C7 and left cervical radiculopathy at C7 level as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings of 60% and 40%, respectively. The case has been remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for radiculopathy and nerve paralysis of the arms. The Veteran contends that his symptoms are due to inoculations or viral infections in service, but a VA examiner will need to review the medical records from his 1974 hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc herniation and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing whether it is secondary to obesity resulting from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is currently employed and has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including post-polio syndrome and its secondary effects, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his sciatic nerve conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 8, 2019 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date onward.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and RLE radiculopathy are granted with specific ratings, effective from December 11, 2014 for the latter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations, lack of notification regarding upcoming VA examinations, and unclear employment history. The issues include right lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars of the low back, PTSD, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and TDIU prior to April 24, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the submission of new medical evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include service connection for various foot, ankle, back, wrist, skin, and shoulder conditions.