Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and she is now receiving a 70% disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The case is being returned to the RO for further adjudication.

The claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and strain prior to March 5, 2018, and starting from June 1, 2018 is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, as it stems from his original claim for increased rating in July 1995. The effective date is set at July 28, 1995.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is productive of moderate impairment and has been granted an initial 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy require further examination to determine their current severity, as well as his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathy have been granted a 20 percent rating effective June 18, 2013. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities and the hazards associated with his environment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his service-connected costochondritis of the right ribs.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, previously claimed as sciatica, right leg is granted effective April 1, 2012.

The Board has decided that the current rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is not appropriate and has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic, external popliteal, musculocutaneous, anterior tibial, interior popliteal, and posterior tibial nerves) prior to October 4, 2017, is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (anterior crural and internal saphenous nerves) prior to October 4, 2017, is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. Separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to August 4, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right shoulder numbness, left ankle condition, angina (chest pain), inguinal abscess pain, low back strain, fracture of the left ring finger, compression fracture at C5-6, residuals of circumcision and balanitis, and left cervical radiculopathy with degenerative disc disease in the left upper extremity. The remand is due to the need for additional VA treatment records from March 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.