Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for mild degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The remaining claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective from April 7, 2012 to November 17, 2014. From November 17, 2014 onwards, the Veteran is denied any increase in his rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2004 for the grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development conducted do not adequately comply with the September 2019 Board remand directives. The Veteran is advised to attend a VA examination for his claimed disabilities, or face adverse impact on the outcome of his claim.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement is granted a disability rating of 40 percent. The Veteran's left upper and right upper extremity radiculopathies are denied ratings in excess of the current 20 and 40 percent, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an equipment purchase of an adjustable king or queen size bed and ergonomic chair through the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program, finding that such purchases were not necessary to achieve his independent living goal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper extremities, rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, and ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examinations and consideration of all applicable diagnostic codes for the spine, including the Veteran's symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has upheld the severance of service connection for LLE radiculopathy and denied a higher initial disability rating. The claims for left foot, hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of complete medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 20 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatica associated with his service-connected back disability is remanded due to procedural issues.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and granted service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.,Low back strain with degenerative changes causes loss of forward flexion to 90 degrees prior to September 20, 2019 and to 60 degrees thereafter.

The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to an oversight in previous examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active service.,For the rating claim, the Veteran was granted a temporary total rating based on bilateral lumbar decompressive laminectomy surgery from January 1, 2009 to January 31, 2009. The Veteran's claims for effective dates have also been denied.