Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The issues on appeal include service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy, radiculopathy, and a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint disease with scoliosis and radiculopathy of the bilateral sciatic nerves.,Effective dates earlier than October 3, 2013, are granted for the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease with scoliosis and IVDS, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD, left lower extremity sciatic compression neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic compression neuropathy, left lower extremity femoral compression neuropathy, and right lower extremity femoral compression neuropathy have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each.

The Board has restored the service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence does not establish that the original grant of service connection was clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The RO increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves to 40 percent each, effective June 26, 2018.,Ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerves were also increased to 20 percent each, effective June 26, 2018. Separate ratings of 30 percent and 20 percent were assigned for radial and median nerve neuropathies, respectively, effective July 18, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The hypertension claim was denied.,Service connection is established for radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The cases will be rescheduled for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, surgical scars of the low back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and PTSD. The remand includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, conducting new examinations to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's disabilities, and providing a new rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbar DDD has been dismissed as she withdrew her claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is characterized by moderate, incomplete paralysis and has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating on an extraschedular basis, finding that the schedular ratings adequately reflect his symptoms and disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the highest possible evaluation for his thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, and there is no indication of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right ankle disability, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for bilateral lower radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his cervical spine disability and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lower back pain and bilateral foot conditions, have rendered him unemployable from August 12, 2016 to May 1, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating during this period.

The Veteran's death was due to myocardial infarction, which the VA opinion found less likely than not caused by his service-connected back disability. The claim is remanded for a new VA opinion and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 24, 2013. The claim is also remanded due to outstanding VA Vocational Rehabilitation records that have not been considered.