Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hip strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and left sciatic nerve disability, finding no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also denied a compensable rating for his right knee scar.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence that the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder) and a left eye disability. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury (to include headaches) and a neck disability were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM II is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's leg pain issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it from appeal.,Service connection for OSA is granted, with a finding that his current diagnosis of OSA is related to his active military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence on direct or presumptive basis.,The Veteran's hip disability rating issue is remanded as the VA examination was conducted in 2017 and he testified that symptoms have worsened.

The Board has found sufficient lay and medical evidence to suggest that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities may have prevented him from being capable of obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation post-separation. The issue is remanded for referral to the Director of the Compensation Service for adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities, combined with his education and work history, rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment from August 18, 2013. The Board granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further examination and medical guidance to determine if his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected low back disability, and to evaluate the severity of his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of December 31, 2014. The Veteran also received a grant for left lower extremity radiculopathy and insomnia. However, the reduction in rating from 20% to 10% for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 11, 2008. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted as service connected. The claims for a left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete processing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity, as secondary to a service-connected disability, needs further development. Specifically, they need to locate and associate any inpatient medical records from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Base Hospital from April 1, 1961 to May 31, 1961.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and associated right lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for severance of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, left sciatica associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and right sciatica associated with DDD of the lumbar spine. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that further assistance is necessary to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new examination for both lumbar spine disability and RLE radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. Increased ratings are granted for his low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 27, 2016. A TDIU determination is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability and right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision.