Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for COPD and lower bilateral sciatic nerve paralysis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 100% as of August 11, 2017. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date due to the severity of his service-connected conditions preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety). Service connection is remanded for low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS was restored to a 40 percent rating effective May 27, 2015. The Board also remanded for further action on an increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. A 10 percent rating, but no higher, was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) effective October 15, 2015. The claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, including rating claims and service connection for various lower extremity and hip/knee disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for renal dysfunction. Additional evidence is needed, particularly from VA providers, and a comprehensive examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability and his claim for headaches due to in-service combat injuries.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran is also seeking an effective date prior to September 19, 2016, for various disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding service connection for chronic pain syndrome, an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and initial disability ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy disabilities as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective from November 27, 2018. Service connection for arthritis in the lumbar spine and sciatica are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, renal artery stenosis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart disease), and PTSD are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on evidence showing these conditions were first manifested prior to the date of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service connection for depression is granted. Effective dates are denied for lumbar radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities. The case is remanded for further examinations to determine the nature and severity of hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, along with other disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013. Effective May 22, 2012, the combined disability rating was sufficient for a TDIU. Effective August 23, 2018, his other service-connected disabilities are also rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and a VA examination to assess his functional impairment.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and associated right and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted an effective date of June 13, 2014 for a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The earliest evidence supporting this diagnosis was prior to that date.