Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and right thigh myositis ossificans. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2018 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,TDIU was granted effective October 15, 2018, but the pre-October 15, 2018 period is not considered due to lack of minimum schedular requirements.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to October 15, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period. Service connection for low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve are also granted. TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues are left hand disorder, bilateral wrist radiculopathy, and bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability is granted. The claims for an increased rating for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his cervical spine disability and neuropathy. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for radiculopathy or cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and information to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical findings regarding the severity of the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for persistent depressive disorder, but that issue remains pending at the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal regarding TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) was accepted by the Board.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are granted with respective ratings of 10% and 40%. The reduction in rating for the Veteran’s left knee patellofemoral syndrome from 20% to 10% was improper, and the 20% rating is restored. The reduction in rating for the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy from 40% to noncompensable was also improper, and the 40% rating is restored.

An effective date of November 13, 2013 is granted for the grant of service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The earlier effective dates for left shoulder and ankle scars are denied.,A 20 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2016 and 10 percent after that date. The Veteran also receives a grant for total unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is granted SMC based on loss of use of both hands due to service-connected cervical and upper extremity disabilities.,The need for regular aid and attendance claim is moot as the Veteran's SMC(m) award for loss of use of both hands is the greater benefit.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS and scoliosis, as well as radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, both found not to be related to the Veteran's military service or her service-connected right hip osteoarthritis.