Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a herniated disc, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bursitis, left knee and bursitis, right knee claimed as a bilateral knee condition prior to January 26, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatica of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information regarding flare-ups of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar due to cranium cyst removal is granted. The claims for telangiectasia matting on the nasal bridge, right shoulder pain and impingement, cervical radiculopathy with numbness of left upper extremity, and cervical radiculopathy with numbness of right upper extremity are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar disc syndrome with radiculopathy, special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and whether the Veteran's countable income is excessive for VA non-service connected pension due to lack of information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2011. The Board found no evidence warranting a higher rating during this period.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic post-operative meniscectomy of the right knee. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hip strain, and left knee disability.,The Board has also ordered additional examinations and opinions on whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and if so, whether they were aggravated by her right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a TDIU, but the increased rating claims for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatica, right hip strain, and left hip and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all conditions and issues except hypertension, PTSD/Depressive Disorder with Memory Loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD, back disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left hand disabilities, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, arthritis of the entire body, fibromyalgia/arthralgia, erectile dysfunction, rhinitis, migraine headaches, fungus of the feet, sinusitis, hypercholesterolemia. The Board dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's nervous condition or psychiatric disorder also claimed as sleep disorder is remanded.,The Veteran’s ED claim is remanded along with the nervous condition/psychiatric disorder claim, and held in abeyance until that claim is fully developed and addressed by the AOJ.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to conflicting evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine has resulted in a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, effective from December 22, 2009. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the new claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself as a result of his disabilities.