Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the presence of unemployability caused by his service-connected low back disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as other non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and a psychiatric condition. The evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that it is due to his service-connected lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disorder, back disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea due to incomplete development and need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the Board has remanded for a determination on whether his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, left and right knee conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, but these reductions were found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The original 20 percent ratings have been restored.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis and sciatica of the left and right lower extremities were not granted service connection as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, were not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity was not granted service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, was not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's sciatica of the right lower extremity was not granted service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, was not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at a 60 percent, but not higher, due to severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve with marked muscular atrophy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves and external popliteal nerves. A medical examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) are being remanded as the effective dates have not been established.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the above issues.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher. The issue of TDIU prior to January 16, 2018, has been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation for the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right and left shoulder disabilities, radiculopathy of the upper right extremity, thoracic strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran is permanently housebound by reason of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a brace used for his service-connected back disability and topical medication used for his service-connected eczema in 2018, as there was no evidence that these items caused significant damage to his clothes.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and providing nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent since July 25, 2008.,The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent since November 13, 2014. A TDIU was granted effective from July 25, 2008.