Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities have been denied.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim, and the current conditions are rated based on their direct effects.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, blackouts/fainting, colon problems/irregular bowel movements, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, scoliosis of the spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence to support a service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for increased ratings and new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide National Guard records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the right foot disorder remains unresolved.,The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the right foot disorder due to potential overlap with other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and issues, including a TDIU claim and service connection for PTSD. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to duty-to-assist errors. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the regulatory criteria for a higher rating prior to May 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral lower extremity disability, including lumbar radiculopathy, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral foot disability. The VA examinations were inadequate in addressing all of the requested information.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and granted. The claims for severance of service connection for IVDS, related radiculopathies, and erectile dysfunction are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right lumbar radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess current severity.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected RLE radiculopathy require additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation prior to September 4, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right peroneal neuropathy, right foot drop, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as these conditions are not linked to active service.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence post-surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 of the lumbar spine is granted from December 14, 2015 to January 26, 2016.,A rating higher than 40 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 of the lumbar spine across the appeal period is denied.,The Veteran's incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in the right lower extremity associated with the lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from June 11, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including arthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), radiculopathy, and spondylosis. The decision is based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, but denied service connection for left hip condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, and right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was previously denied in August 2009. New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, thus reopening it. The case is remanded to determine if service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 12, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.