Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted ratings, but the rating for radiculopathy is only effective from September 26, 2018. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Board has found that the VA records dating back to 1977 have not been fully obtained, and thus remanded for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome and carpal laxity, began in service and have continued after service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy claims are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the radiculopathy claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, each, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his low back and lower extremities in February 2013, over six years ago. In the July 2019 appellant's brief, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran’s condition has increased in severity. Therefore, a new VA examination is required so that the current nature and severity of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities at issue may be determined.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which includes the use of a CPAP machine. The appeal for COPD and thoracic spine disability is dismissed as service connection has already been established. Lumbar strain and radiculopathy are denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis. Blepharitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted from November 20, 2015. The disability rating of 30% is assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature of his sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric condition.,However, the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for psychosis or mental illness for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as his left lower extremity condition. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbosacral strain rating claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations for right knee femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the effective date issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated cervical discs, with spinal stenosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic low back strain was denied, but the Board granted secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for left sacroiliac joint strain. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes, lumbar spine IVDS, and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was granted from September 19, 2013 to September 29, 2018. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea versicolor prior to April 29, 2019 is denied.

The Board vacated the June 2019 decision and granted service connection for hypertension. The effective dates for other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, with the effective date being June 11, 2014. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD and degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine, with intervertebral disc syndrome were denied. The Veteran was not granted initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, headaches, and left upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as left shoulder) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.