Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for bilateral lower radiculopathy. The Board dismissed these claims as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including back disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are each rated at 20 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.,The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The claims for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 11, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with impingement of the L3-L4 dermatomes and DDD, along with left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted at a 20 percent rating from August 15, 2005, to September 18, 2016, for lumbar strain with impingement of the L3-L4 dermatomes and DDD. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted at a 20 percent rating since October 23, 2012, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted at a 20 percent rating since August 15, 2005. A TDIU is granted from August 15, 2005, to February 27, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairments. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and granted TDIU due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted at 40 percent, effective January 15, 2015. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine from August 16, 2018 to May 7, 2019 is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional records related to his in-service assault on a Military Policeman. The issues of service connection and TDIU are also being addressed as they are interrelated with the threshold matter concerning the character of discharge.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in several service-connected conditions, and the Board has remanded for further examination of his bilateral knee disabilities and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and a need for a more contemporaneous examination of the Veteran's right foot disability. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings higher than 20 percent for radiculopathy in his lower extremities. The Board found that an earlier effective date was not available due to lack of evidence showing radiculopathy prior to the assigned effective date, and denied the claim for a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip, left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament, left knee degenerative joint disease with painful motion, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any cervical spine disability present during the appeals period is related to service, including the Veteran's neck pain complaints noted in 2008. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its associated radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service parachute jumping duties.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his back disability is dismissed. An initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeal for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. A TDIU from September 13, 2019 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left upper extremity disorder, including radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are related to active service or otherwise caused by his service-connected cervical spine strain.