Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the possibility of worsening conditions, as well as the need to develop his TDIU claim in light of the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, higher initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathies. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 to address his claim for TDIU.

All initial claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal. The restoration of a 50% rating for major depressive disorder was granted effective December 1, 2015. Earlier effective dates of May 22, 2014 were granted for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and following substantially gainful employment since September 19, 2016.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's back disability, effective from August 21, 2019. The left leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 40 percent for polyradiculopathy of the right lower extremity and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective from January 1, 2014. The Veteran previously received partial increases to these ratings.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's current back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar stenosis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, was incurred in service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neurological symptoms of the left lower extremity, including a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, are related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial and gainful employment prior to September 12, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 13, 2016 are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding records. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new VA examination to assess his current disability severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's cervical disc herniation with C6 radiculopathy is related to a neck injury during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 2011, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 15, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and low back disability, but the right foot condition remains unresolved.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dessicans was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the ongoing increased rating claims.