Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction and entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 1, 2013 for the grant of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and radiculopathy, left lower extremity has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for service-connected lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for entitlement to service connection for right and left foot disabilities have been remanded as the preexisting bilateral pes planus noted upon entry into service may have undergone an increase in disability during active duty service. An addendum medical opinion is needed to address this issue.,The Veteran's appeal for initial increased ratings for service-connected lumbar strain has been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected radiculopathy, left lower extremity have been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to a separate rating for exertional compartment syndrome in his right foot has been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability have been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury has been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee patellofemoral disability have been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeals for entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral disability have been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for effective date earlier than July 18, 2017 for the increased 50 percent disability rating awarded for service-connected migraine headaches has been remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from PFM, MCFO, and CS&KS. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and update the electronic claims file with all outstanding VA treatment records.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied effective December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is also not established.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has had radiculopathy of the lower left leg at any time during, or approximate to, the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent due to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees and combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees. The examiner noted that repetitive use testing did not show any additional loss of function.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction, radiculopathy, hypertensive vascular disease, TURP, low sperm ejaculation, and heart condition. The issues are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates ranging from October 31, 2009 to July 13, 2011. The decision also includes a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board found that the Veteran met the criterion for aid and attendance benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining SSA records. The issues of PTSD, right shoulder strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right knee chondromalacia are all remanded.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability, specifically intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and sciatic nerve involvement, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 8, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board denied the appeals for higher ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to withdrawal by the Veteran's accredited representative. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinitis with trapezius strain is rated 30 percent effective from November 4, 2016.,A 40 percent rating for chronic low back pain with history of muscle strain is granted with an effective date of July 12, 2012. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a 10 percent rating on this same date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy may be aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain, and thus remanded for further examination to determine if this aggravation is at least as likely as not.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran's joint pain, fatigue, and other symptoms are remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Board granted service connection for gout of the feet, finding that the evidence was at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to a lack of substantial compliance with the terms of the March 2016 remand, and ordered an addendum opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, are being remanded for further evaluation.,An initial rating greater than 20 percent is sought for a low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings, but the current evaluations do not meet his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability due to inadequate findings in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability or back and left leg radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted at a 50% rating, and since January 4, 2017, he is now rated at 70%. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms have worsened since then. Other issues related to radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right paracentral disc protrusion L5-S1 are also remanded for further evaluation.