Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each granted a 10 percent rating, and her right shoulder sprain is granted a 40 percent rating. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for TBI, neck spine disorder, neuropathy/radiculopathy of the arms, migraine headaches, and impaired vision is granted. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations. The claims include a rating in excess of 10 percent for left middle finger fracture, service connection for right leg radiculopathy, bilateral fallen arches, post circumcision residuals, left foot pain, right shoulder condition, and left pinky condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless enough to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and chronic low back pain, have been found to meet the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is moot as he has already received eligibility for specially adapted housing. His request for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was denied due to lack of meeting eligibility criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further clarification of the current severity of the service-connected lower extremity diabetic femoral and sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings of 20 percent each for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities has been granted effective August 24, 2016.,A TDIU is also granted effective August 24, 2016.

The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is rated at 10 percent prior to December 21, 2017 and 20 percent thereafter. The claim for higher initial ratings is granted.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to June 25, 2019 and denied entitlement to increased ratings. The Veteran was also granted a 20 percent rating for his left leg radiculopathy effective October 19, 2011.

The appeal for service connection for left lower extremity tremors is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and tremors, left upper extremity radiculopathy and tremors, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are proximately due to her service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The current VA examinations were inadequate in evaluating the Veteran's hip, buttock, and leg pain.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation of 50 percent for a headache disorder is granted.,Prior to May 14, 2016, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied. From May 14, 2016, an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. Prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the Veteran’s service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,For the period on appeal prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is denied. From July 24, 2019, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the same condition is remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The rating for migraine headaches remains at the maximum 50 percent, but a higher rating is denied. Tinnitus is rated at the maximum 10 percent, with no higher rating available. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating available. An earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches and tinnitus is denied. Service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's IVDS, lumbar spine, is rated at 40 percent prior to May 21, 2012. From May 21, 2012, the rating for IVDS remains at 40 percent. The left lumbar radiculopathy associated with IVDS is rated at 40 percent from October 24, 2011 to February 10, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating for his low back disability and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the available schedular evaluations adequately described the Veteran’s disability level and symptomatology, and there were no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals of a left leg fracture), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.