Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lower left extremity sciatic nerve paralysis due to inadequate examinations supporting the determinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a mental health disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service service.,The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10% since the onset of the claim period, with no higher rating warranted due to limited motion and painful movement.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine scoliosis with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied, as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of a right knee injury due to inadequate examinations in prior determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and his lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disorder other than right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to lack of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 10, 2014, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran also had his initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity increased to 20 percent and a TDIU granted.

The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 40 percent since March 30, 2008.,Higher initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and back and wrist disabilities are denied.,SMC based on loss of use of the left lower extremity and need of regular aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy in the left lower extremity was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to March 6, 2018.,A higher rating for the condition beginning March 6, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding four specific conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability and left leg radiculopathy, but has remanded them due to additional development being required. The rating of the Veteran's left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervicogenic headaches. The Veteran will be provided with additional examinations to assess the severity of his conditions and determine their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left lower extremity sciatica and piriformis syndrome of the left hip have been denied. The Board found that a disability rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for the left lower extremity sciatica, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for the piriformis syndrome.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are not rated higher than their current levels, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain and low back disability, finding that the current diagnoses are related to service. The issues of CUE in a December 1980 decision denying service connection for ruptured muscle, right groin, and service connection for hypertension have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The VA examinations provided were inadequate, and additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted at a 40 percent disability rating effective November 18, 2016. Ratings in excess of these ratings prior to that date are denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 50% rating for the period prior to April 12, 2019. For the entire appeal period, his right and left knee osteoarthritis are each granted separate 10% ratings for instability. The Veteran’s left upper extremity radiculopathy is not rated higher than 30%. No rating in excess of 50% for depressive disorder or any other condition is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent since January 31, 2016. The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy has not been found to warrant a higher rating.