Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, OSA, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that supports this condition. Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military activity. OSA and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remain under remand for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his service and are not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is not related to his service and is not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,Prior to April 30, 2019, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss was not manifested by more than Level II hearing impairment in either ear. After that date, it was not manifested by more than Level IV hearing impairment in either ear.,Beginning on May 1, 2019, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica was manifested by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve.,The Veteran’s left lower extremity sciatica is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee, left leg disability (other than as related to left knee or left lower extremity radiculopathy), and fractures of the right tibia and fibula. The remaining issues include service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee arthritis with instability, and residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula prior to June 23, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased evaluations for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's left leg disability and cervical spine degenerative disc disease with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted service connection. The left leg disability is not granted, while the cervical spine issue is.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral leg pain, major depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, and left shoulder strain must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 14, 2018 for the initial grant of 40 percent evaluation for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a lumbar strain with IVDS have been denied.

The Veteran's sciatica, left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of moderately severe radiculopathy.

The Board is remanding all issues for additional development and records.,The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records, including military personnel records and service treatment records.,The VA psychiatric examination in January 2018 did not provide a clear opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is needed.,VA lumbar and cervical spine examinations were inadequate and require further evaluation to determine functional impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his last date of employment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for dependency benefits were denied as the earliest date entitlement arose was March 17, 2010 for his spouse and minor children K. and A., and June 18, 2010 for his minor child B.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for his TDIU should be reconsidered based on the evidence of record and any new information regarding his employment and income since September 2012.

The Board has vacated the decision and remanded the case due to a TDIU claim being raised by the Veteran's representative. The issues of service connection for basal cell carcinoma, claimed as multiple myeloma; entitlement to increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS); and entitlement to increased rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE associated with diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the RLE, and radiculopathy of the LLE have all been denied.,Effective dates for service connection were granted on March 19, 2010, for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine associated with left knee DJD, radiculopathy of the RLE, and radiculopathy of the LLE.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left knee disability is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for various foot conditions and left hand arthritis. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Veteran's application to reopen their claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder has been granted. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy, and gynecological disorder are also being considered.