Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), bulging disc, and chronic lumbar strain, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted. The claim for bilateral foot and inner right ankle ganglion cysts is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or other criteria warranting a higher rating prior to February 17, 2015. As of that date, his disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of a permanent and total nature, and the Board has dismissed his claims for increased ratings as he withdrew them at his hearing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a 40 percent rating for each condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective May 9, 2016. The Veteran's tinnitus and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are both rated at 10%. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including Crohn's disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's spine condition is granted as service connection, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence. The Veteran’s representative provided additional information regarding his stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected compression fractures to T12 and L2 are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for a neurological disorder of the lower extremities. The Veteran is also seeking an individual unemployability rating prior to August 17, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Board also finds that remand is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability/radiculopathy cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings of his service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, leading to the dismissal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and degenerative joint disease due to inadequate examinations in determining their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability, back disability, and right and left upper extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to outstanding SSA records and a need for more recent VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the Veteran's hiatal hernia, but remanded the issues regarding tinea versicolor and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board's decision is revised to deny the claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, effective July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 20 percent rating, effective August 23, 2018.