Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, and no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with neuropathy and tinnitus are granted. The diagnoses were established during a presumptive period following his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for further medical examination. The issues include lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection, except for remanding one issue.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2007. The appeal for service connection and separate evaluations for sleep apnea and lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but VA determined that the damage to his shirts is not due to wear and tear caused by the brace. The decision was based on clinical evidence and guidance from VHA Handbook 1173.15.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his claimed cervical spine disability, bilateral radiculopathy, and headaches. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent from May 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015, and from January 1, 2016 forward. The issues of increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection claims, including PTSD, chronic pain disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of traumatic brain injury (also claimed as head injury), neuropathy of right upper extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis and radiculopathy was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in February 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also remanded as they may be impacted by the outcome of the left knee condition claim.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings were dismissed.,Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issues of service connection for loss of teeth, sleep apnea, low back injury, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy (all secondary to a low back injury) are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and other conditions. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU since September 27, 2011.,Prior to September 27, 2011, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities may impact his employability and should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's back disability and associated neurological disorders have been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of September 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for GERD, low back condition, right hip condition, bilateral foot condition, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date of the grants of service connection is also being considered.