Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of proper withdrawal documentation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to ongoing VA efforts to obtain private medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, right knee limitation of flexion and extension, right knee lateral instability, and left knee lateral instability have been granted ratings. The Veteran also received a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine DDD is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports regarding the severity of his conditions during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance or a TDIU due to their combined rating of 50 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent. The Board has remanded the issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and lumbar strain have been granted initial compensable ratings. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve; right lower extremity, femoral nerve; and left lower extremity, sciatic nerve have also been granted initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as her claim for TDIU, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including issuing a Statement of the Case and readjudicating the service connection claim for right leg sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to attorney fees and a determination of CUE in the rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board finds that he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection for the conditions listed, including shin splints, knee pain, ankle pain, sciatic nerve impingement, and tibial stress fracture.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective May 13, 2016. Ratings for the condition prior to that date and in excess of 40 percent from that date are denied.

The Veteran's lumbar retrolisthesis is rated at 20 percent, effective December 4, 2019. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for left and right leg radiculopathies as of the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted. The issue of SMC for loss of use of a creative organ is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 11, 2011, for the grant of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding initial ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues related to his lower back, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of both knees.