Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for enlarged prostate with benign prostatic hypertrophy due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, and anemia.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to the Veteran’s reduced sex drive. The claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's painful scar on the right wrist warrants a 10 percent disability rating due to its pain but not instability or limitation of function.,The linear scar on the right wrist does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating as it does not exceed 6 square inches in area and is not unstable or painful.,Anemia has been rated at 10 percent since November 2018, with no evidence of improvement to warrant a higher rating.,Fibromyalgia was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Costochondritis has been rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.

The Veteran's low back disability and left/right lower extremity radiculopathy were rated, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating effective October 24, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability and cervical radiculopathy due to incomplete consideration of a relevant medical history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that the Veteran does not have left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, exercise-induced asthma, and back disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as the October 2016 VA examination is inadequate. The effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since August 13, 2019. The rating remains denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 20% effective August 28, 2018. The lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was rated at 40% effective April 26, 2018.,Effective September 9, 2016, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity were granted service connection. The right knee osteoarthritis and left knee strain have been rated at 20% since their respective effective dates.,The reduction in ratings for the knees was restored to pre-reduction levels.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, specifically regarding the service connection for L5 radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic conjunctivitis are all rated at the maximum allowable levels. The rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain, lumbar spondylosis, and degenerative disc space narrowing is now rated at 40 percent effective October 1, 2019. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 20 percent effective February 26, 2010, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 20 percent effective January 24, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. For the PTSD, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 30, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent effective September 30, 2019 is not warranted based on his symptoms. For IU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings are found to be appropriate.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 5, 2017. The Veteran's symptoms were characterized as moderately severe, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lower lumbar spine scar and remanded the evaluation of his left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the radiculopathy issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The Board did not find any errors in the decisions.