Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related symptoms, have resulted in a loss of use of one lower extremity (left) due to the need for regular and constant use of assistive devices such as a wheeled walker and electronic wheelchair/scooter. This has led to a permanent and total disability rating, qualifying him for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities to 40 percent effective July 1, 2018. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions remain remanded due to procedural errors in reducing the ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma on the right shoulder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 28, 2015 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, complete the Veteran's VA Form 21-4192 for his previous employers, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, and he is currently rated at 40 percent. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted but not higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for thoracolumbar spine disability is denied, and he is granted a higher rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 11, 2019. He is also granted a higher rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of parking fees and monthly subsistence allowance, as well as his request for VR&E services including independent living services, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran has been provided with a thorough vocational rehabilitation evaluation that includes assessments of his current limitations caused by service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform in both his current occupational field and desired career changes.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his cervical spine disability and other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and hours worked, which is necessary to determine if he qualifies for TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. A neurological examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and conflicting evidence regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a thoracic spine scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show three or four scars that were unstable or painful, and therefore, a higher rating could not be granted. For the TDIU claim prior to July 19, 2017, the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,An effective date of February 1, 2016, has been granted for the left foot disability.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent effective November 21, 2017. He also receives separate ratings of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy beginning that date.,Prior to November 21, 2017, the Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent.