Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to assertions of worsening symptoms, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sciatic nerve disorder and increased rating claim for right knee strain were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the medical evidence did not support a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and right lower extremity disorder due to new evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since February 15, 2011. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and for TDIU. The right knee claim is pending, while the TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disabilities), bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy (secondary to back disability), and depression (secondary to service-connected disabilities). The remand is due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that additional development is warranted before adjudication of the Veteran's appeal, including a new VA examination for his right knee disability and consideration of temporary total disability following surgery.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as these conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy is related to service or his service-connected thoracolumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his low back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatica. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, cervical herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-C6, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity. The TDIU claim is also on appeal. These issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a disability other than PTSD, leg disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal during the December 2019 Board hearing.

The Veteran's radiculopathy left upper extremity and right upper extremity are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to potential issues with the April 2017 VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for vitamin D deficiency, left inguinal strain, elevated liver enzymes, right anterior diaphragmatic eventration, and sleep apnea. The appeals for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was denied. From October 26, 2006, he received a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and another 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a neck condition due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and reduction in disability rating are pending, with the case being returned to the RO for further action.