Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran was gainfully employed during the period prior to January 4, 2012. Therefore, a TDIU for this period is denied.

The appeal for increased evaluations of the service-connected lumbar spine disability and surgical scar is dismissed.,The appeals for initial compensable evaluation for a surgical scar of the lumbar area prior to January 26, 2013, and initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a surgical scar of the lumbar area on or after January 26, 2013 are dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to TDIU prior to December 31, 2013 is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his back disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, and he was also denied SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, lumbar spine strain, sciatic neuropathy of both lower extremities, femoral neuropathies, and right shoulder DJD. The issues have been referred to include a new examination to determine whether the Veteran currently suffers from diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine foraminal narrowing at L4-5 and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to due to incomplete development. The Veteran is currently shown to have multiple service-connected disabilities, but his combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, as determined by VA examiners.

The Veteran's attorney is not eligible for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in an August 2013 rating decision which granted a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective July 31, 2012. The appellant submitted multiple notices of disagreement but the RO did not issue a statement of the case (SOC).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of July 25, 2014. The decision also states that no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded both claims for increased rating for the Veteran's back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica due to conflicting evidence and inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination as per the October 2018 Board remand.

The Veteran's back disability and LLE radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent each, while RLE radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The effective date for service connection of RLE radiculopathy is denied as it was received within a year of the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Ratings of 40 percent, but not greater, are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left lower extremity sciatic nerve, with ratings of 30 percent, but not greater, for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 13, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include radiculopathy in the lower extremities and herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are related to his death. The appeals were not about exposure to herbicides or any other specific conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to February 21, 2003, for service-connected valvular heart disease; a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability; and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to consider both the former (pre- January 12, 1998) and current (post- January 12, 1998) criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine when readjudicating the initial rating assigned to the Veteran's valvular heart disease. The AOJ is also instructed to schedule a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and to issue a SOC addressing the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.