Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board is remanding the remaining issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's left wrist strain, medial antebrachial nerve injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome are productive of neuropathy and moderate, incomplete paralysis. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left hand scar and psychiatric disorders. The appellant will be asked to provide additional details about her husband's in-service injuries and medical records will be sought.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at the maximum available rating. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine if his disabilities have worsened.

The claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation has been reopened, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,The claims for bilateral hand and foot disorders are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, which is 50 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran’s recurrent left hip subluxation is currently rated as 30 percent due to malunion of the femur with slight knee or hip disability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees and combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left wrist disability have been granted increased ratings. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the RUE and LUE radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent, and the left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment due to issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, lumbosacral radiculitis, and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending claims and appeals, stating he is satisfied with his compensation and does not wish to pursue any of them.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for low back pain has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the rating of PTSD, shoulder injury with bursitis, tinnitus, sinus disorder with allergies, sleep apnea, GERD, and tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hip condition is aggravated by his service-connected lower back condition.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remain at 20 percent, with no increase in rating granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical degenerative joint disease and cervical radiculopathy are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to new evidence from a VA examination, and because these issues are inextricably intertwined.

The initial rating for radiculopathy and muscle damage has been withdrawn. The back disability remains denied with a current rating of 20%. Service connection for an acquired mental disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot pes planus with pronation, and GERD were denied.,For DDD of the lumbar spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied prior to October 3, 2016, and since October 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity.