Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder has been granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disorder and associated radiculopathies.

The Veteran seeks TDIU from August 1, 2011 to January 28, 2015 based on service-connected disabilities. However, the combined rating of these conditions does not meet the criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is therefore remanded for referral to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine and right hip disabilities. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to neck condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's attorney requested separate ratings for PTSD with TBI based on symptoms that could be differentiated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings in several service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip disabilities, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, require additional evidence. The Veteran is to be scheduled for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective date for the current ratings remains April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted service connection effective March 31, 2015. The Board determined that the earliest date for which he is entitled to service connection is July 31, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing is remanded due to pre-decisional errors and the need for further evaluation by a VRC considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective May 14, 2020. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been restored to 20 percent, and the rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy has also been restored to 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and DDD and arthritis, IVDS, and status post lumbar fusion were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his cervical spine disability, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, diabetes mellitus (secondary), and aid and attendance.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not rated higher than the current levels.

The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to service. The Board finds evidence has been submitted which supports that the Veteran’s sleep apnea may have had its onset during service.,The Veteran also contends that he has insomnia, a back disorder, sciatic nerve pain, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder all related to service. He was exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's PTSD, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, and other service-connected conditions are all rated at the highest possible level (70%), but his claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndromes, and elbow/thumb disabilities have been denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 30 percent and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 40 percent and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to comply with VA's duty to assist in obtaining all relevant records, including those from the Veteran's Reserve service and Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on earlier effective date claims related to service connection for various spinal and lower extremity conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for migraines, as it was granted in a prior decision.,For the left upper extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. For the right upper extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,For the left lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 20 percent thereafter. For the right lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,For the cervical spine disability, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. For the lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.