Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The appeals for service connection for back disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are dismissed. The appeals for service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are now moot as your conditions were already resolved in a previous rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting reports regarding the Veteran's ability to perform activities of daily living without assistance. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's treatment at University Medical Center on February 19, 2015 was for an emergency condition that required immediate medical attention. The VA facility was not available and the Veteran is financially liable for the costs.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a neck disability, as well as higher initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being returned due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions, finding that the Veteran's disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy, due to concerns about the accuracy of the address provided in the previous examination request.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each effective March 24, 2016.,The Veteran's limitation of extension of the right hip has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective January 27, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran. The Board also remanded the case for a new examination regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and depression are REMANDED due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted at a 10% level effective June 3, 2015. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, low back, left foot, headache, and sciatic nerve disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as no such opinion has been provided in the record.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hiatal hernia with GERD, and depression is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the service connection for cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of injury to right great and second toes, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, sciatica in right lower extremity, and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The right ankle disability, excluding surgical periods, is denied an increased rating to more than 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculitis (femoral) is granted a 20 percent initial rating. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracolumbar scoliosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the scoliosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA treatment records and examinations.