Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation and is not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral radiculopathy, and right foot hammertoes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 19, 2019 and from June 19, 2019. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 6, 2012 and from August 6, 2012.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to March 19, 2016.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 23, 2007 for the Veteran's service connection for radiculopathy affecting his bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, and other conditions has been granted with an effective date of October 29, 2012. The appeal is denied for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities have been granted but are moot due to the grant.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for rectal outlet dysfunction (IBS) has been denied as there is no CUE in the August 2009 rating decision.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis with sciatica, left knee disability, and right foot disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service.,There is no current diagnosis of a left knee or right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for sciatica, to include left foot drop and extraschedular consideration, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred back to the Director, Compensation Service, for an opinion regarding whether an extraschedular rating was warranted for the Veteran's sciatica, to include left foot drop, prior to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues include service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, radiculopathy, onychomycosis of the toenails, and a skin disorder (claimed as peeling skin on fingers).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his low back disability and sciatic nerve condition, as well as secondary service-connected neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent and effective as of February 11, 2015.

For the initial rating period from June 10, 2010 to April 3, 2016 (excluding two periods of a temporary total rating), a 40 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted.,For the initial rating beginning April 4, 2016, a rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's bilateral knee and right leg disabilities, as well as his spinal disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection and TDIU have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left leg disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence showing an increase in severity.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective dates for ratings assigned for radiculopathy of his bilateral lower extremities is denied. The appeal of ratings assigned for radiculopathy of his bilateral lower extremities is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of November 17, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2017 has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because the effective date of February 1, 2018 is not earlier than that date.