Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% effective June 2, 2016. His left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously granted a 10% rating as of May 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity, and right thumb disabilities. The neck disorder, status post metacarpal phalangeal fracture of the right thumb, lumbar fusion with disc herniation, post laminectomy syndrome and lumbar stenosis, surgical scar, mid low back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity L-5 radiculopathy are all remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted effective from April 10, 2014. The initial ratings for these conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.,Service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, low back disability, hepatitis C, and tinnitus has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to allegations of worsening symptoms since the May 2017 examination.,Service connection for tingling and numbness (sciatic neuropathy) of both lower extremities is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis of sciatic neuropathy in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 17, 2016, but granted a 20% rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as sciatica, due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of the lay statements regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and others, are found to be severe enough to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

All appeals seeking to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,Claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and sexual dysfunction. The AOJ is required to obtain private treatment records from Dr. B., Dr. E.S., and any other relevant providers, as well as VA treatment records from June 2015 to the present. A medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction will also be obtained.

Entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, as well as radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities, is remanded.,Entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 23, 2016, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (RUE), and cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity (LUE).,The Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge from active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder. However, it denied the claim as there is no evidence that the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development. The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's left and right upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at 30% and 40%, respectively, for moderate incomplete paralysis of the nerve.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found no new and material evidence.,Service connection for a sleep disability is denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran has such a disability during his active duty or related to service.

The Veteran's ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the right lower extremity were reduced from their previous levels. The reductions are denied as proper.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40% for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a 10% rating. The claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and right foot disability are reopened, but service connection itself remains denied. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s back disability and related radiculopathy.