Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability, but remanded the issues regarding left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at the highest available rating based on limitation of motion. The issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for bowel disorder, radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve, lumbar IVDS, and PTSD with anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression have all been denied.,The case is also remanded to address the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right and left lower extremities were denied.,An effective date prior to August 1, 2017, was not granted for service connection of radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include low back sprain, neck sprain, hypertension (secondary to unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder), sciatic nerve damage, and pleurisy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his psychiatric disorder prior to January 25, 2018, does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his sciatic nerve neuropathy and service connection for restless leg syndrome are remanded. His claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were granted, but the rating for PTSD was denied. The Veteran also had an issue regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's reduction in the rating from 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy was improper, and his entitlement to restoration of a 20 percent rating is granted effective May 1, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, scars associated with low back disability, and left leg disability associated with low back disability due to lack of legal merit as these disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating of 70 percent for his service-connected psychiatric condition, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a withdrawal of the appeal. The Board dismissed the case as there are no allegations of errors in the determination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for myofascial pain syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerve), cervical spine disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for consideration of evidence from a VA examination conducted in July 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and its relationship to service. The claim will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes equinus was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not show marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achilles on manipulation.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine strain has not been found to meet the criteria for an increased evaluation due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left lower extremity sciatica is granted, as the condition had its onset in service and there is a link between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10% for lower right sciatica extremity, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and therefore restoration of service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities need to be evaluated for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various knee and leg conditions, as well as for service connection for several other conditions, were dismissed because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal.,The Veteran also had claims to reopen denied, but these are not considered in this decision.