Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine radiculopathy into the bilateral upper extremities is granted.,Higher disability ratings for dorsal and low back strain, chronic cervical strain/degenerative disc disease (DDD), neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and his appeal for a higher rating has been remanded.,For TDIU, the Veteran meets the statutory criteria with combined ratings of 90 percent due to PTSD (80%) and lumbar degenerative disc disease (40%).

The Veteran was previously denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has now granted this claim effective January 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for liver damage, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, degenerative disease of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, chronic cervical strain with radiculopathy/neuropathy, lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for prurigo is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and nervous disorder) due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis and sciatic radiculopathy are rated based on their respective conditions, with the spondylolisthesis receiving staged ratings. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU prior to June 2, 2017.,Service connection for neck disability secondary to spondylolisthesis remains pending and requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition is granted. The Board has remanded several issues related to his knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's surviving spouse's claim for special monthly compensation based on being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance due to her physical limitations, as she was able to drive, shop, and perform daily tasks without assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for service-connected conditions related to his back disability were denied.,Specifically, the Veteran was not granted a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability, separate ratings above 10 percent for neurological abnormalities of the right lower extremity, or an effective date prior to September 24, 2010.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to May 31, 2011 for sciatica of the left lower extremity. The reduction in rating for DDD of the lumbar spine from 20% to 10% was granted. Claims for higher ratings for various knee disabilities are also addressed.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims for various conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for GERD was denied as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and incomplete STRs. The Veteran's STRs from his time in Germany need to be obtained, and an addendum opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, service connection for twisted back, and right arm injury due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected Meniere’s disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 1, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back, neck, right shoulder, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy disabilities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis, disc disease, knee pain, thoracolumbar spine condition, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, have rendered him unemployable since February 13, 2013. His combined disability rating was sufficient to meet the schedular requirement for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from October 25, 2016 to September 28, 2017. TDIU is granted for this period. The issue of service connection for dizziness/vertigo as a residual of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.