Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete medical records, need for a VA examination, and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability should be remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current disability and any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, increased ratings for neck and low back disabilities, and earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the arms and legs are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board.,His current service-connected conditions include right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, cervical radiculopathy, and left knee disability. The reasons given were that the evidence did not show a nexus between these disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also under consideration.

The Board has restored the ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and sciatic nerve and sacroiliac joint disorders, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment from the period beginning February 4, 2017. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a rating of 40 percent, and the other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date due to its intertwinement with his increased rating claim. The increased rating claim is pending and will be adjudicated first.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since April 4, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA has also remanded the cases for increased ratings of herniated nucleus pulposus and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2014 VA examination and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion on functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance due to use of a low back brace, as there is no probative medical or lay evidence showing wear and tear on clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of healed compression fractures at T7-9 was denied. Service connection claims for various conditions were also denied, with the exception that service connection for residuals of healed compression fractures at T7-9 received an effective date of May 12, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are causing him to need assistance with activities of daily living, and he requests a VA examination to determine if he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Board has determined that further evaluation is needed due to the passage of over three years since his last VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for ulnar nerve impairment and denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's right-hand condition is related to his in-service injury, while the carpal tunnel syndrome is not.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied increased ratings for lumbosacral spondylosis, left lower radiculopathy, and right lower radiculopathy. The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service as there is no evidence of it within one year post-service. His lumbosacral spondylosis did not result in incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest, so a higher rating could not be granted.

Service connection is granted for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at its maximum schedular rating.