Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling since February 1, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities due to a lack of adequate examination reports, including those from June 2009, April 2015, and June 2018. The Board also ordered additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection as secondary to his already-service connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty service or any service-connected disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's left side sciatica is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's ureterolithiasis is currently rated at 30 percent and does not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the effective dates cannot be prior to his discharge from service on August 6, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his pending back and neck disability claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all six issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a TDIU claim, a rating increase for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and status-post bypass grafts. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The issues of increased ratings for right femoral nerve radiculopathy and low back disability are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including tinnitus, a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, right lumbar radiculopathy, right hip disability, major depressive disorder, neck disability, low back disability, and right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and heart condition.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective September 2, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records, tax returns, and a VA examination. The issues of TDIU and whether the Veteran is incarcerated are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent since December 29, 2013. The TDIU has also been granted.,TDIU from August 28, 2016 to November 20, 2017 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not play a role in his death and there was no other disability found to be service-connected at the time of his death.

The Board has ordered further action on the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a low back disability due to incomplete and inaccurate information in the January 2019 VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and SVT have been denied due to lack of service connection. The PTSD claim is being remanded for further review.,Service connection for the right leg radiculopathy, SVT, and diabetes mellitus has not been established as they are all related to non-service-connected conditions or events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD, right elbow condition, and back conditions are granted service connection. The neck disability and hypothyroidism claims are denied.

Service connection is granted for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity.,Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity.