Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's combined total disability rating is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back strain, femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is found to have caused or aggravated his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, thus granting service connection for the latter condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, IBS, anxiety disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right knee patellofemoral arthritis have all been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded separate ratings for his lower extremity and knee conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as his assertions indicate an increase in severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for additional development of her personnel records, including verification of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA periods and obtaining all relevant personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's myofascial lumbar syndrome was granted a rating of 20 percent effective October 8, 2018. His lower right extremity radiculopathy was also granted a rating of 20 percent effective October 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for partial transvaginal hysterectomy without oophorectomy was denied.,An increased rating of 100 percent for major depressive disorder and panic disorder without agoraphobia is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,The Veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for hypertension was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for migraines was denied.,SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,Higher initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia is remanded.,SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to June 23, 2014 is remanded.,A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from August 1, 2013 through June 22, 2014 is granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 2012 for the award of service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's symptoms were present prior to this date but did not meet the criteria for a separate rating until February 26, 2014.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for L4-L5 degenerative disc disease and right sciatica and decreased sensory neuropathy in the L4-L5 region was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right club foot, back disorder, and sciatica have been reopened. The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot conditions, as well as his claims for left and right lower extremity conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's service connection and increased evaluation claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and diverticulosis were denied, with effective dates set at October 20, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, including a reduction in rating and increased ratings. The appeal is also remanded for further examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the merits of the Veteran’s claims for left shoulder disability and hypertension can be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which includes a fusion with IVDS and radiculopathy, is related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.