Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

Your claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted, effective June 13, 2012. However, the full benefit sought (a TDIU) was already granted in your favor before you filed this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis with myelopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and right upper extremity radiculopathy and/or neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions on direct service connection, as well as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, and he is now eligible for a TDIU. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, right eye condition, depression, bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, left hip condition, left elbow condition, left knee condition, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for status post-operative right 5th toe hammertoe correction with nerve damage and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The rating of 10% prior to February 17, 2017, and the current 20% rating from that date were both found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, both secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a back disability from November 8, 2014. The remaining issues have been remanded due to procedural and rating criteria issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his back disability and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg radiculopathy was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensably disabling effective June 1, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected right arm radiculopathy with residuals of posttraumatic thoracic outlet, to include right arm and right hand, was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensably disabling effective June 1, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected left arm radiculopathy was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensably disabling effective June 1, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected right leg radiculopathy was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent disabling effective June 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that further development and adjudication is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and depression. The case will be returned for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus was granted, with a separate 20% rating assigned for each lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's original 40% evaluation for the lumbar spine condition from March 10, 2016, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and contract examinations after the issuance of the August 2015 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an extension of a temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action. The Board found that a higher rating than 20 percent is not warranted for the lumbar spine disability prior to November 17, 2017 and denied his claim for increased ratings for left lumbar radiculopathy during this period.

The Board has determined that the VA contract opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining new etiological opinions addressing all theories of entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for Section 1151 compensation for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that VA care caused his diabetes. The Board also found no basis to grant extraschedular ratings for lumbosacral spine DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his knee disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.,The Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Board denied service connection for left arm radiculopathy and remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety and depression due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence showing she was injured during her period of inactive duty training. The Board then found that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely caused by a December 2001 motor vehicle accident while on active duty, and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.