Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatitis, a lumbar spine disorder, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and sciatica of the right lower extremity due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and depression), and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,However, the Board found that the current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date earlier than August 5, 2014, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 5, 2014, is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his low back disability, testicular pain and erectile dysfunction, and lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disorder, including his service treatment records and a private medical opinion. The examiner is asked to provide an updated etiological opinion considering all relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to service, but requires further medical examination and opinion to determine if it was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and sciatica/radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and will be reconsidered after further development is completed.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical sprain and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the VA etiological opinion is inadequate and requires additional examination to address all relevant in-service and current diagnoses, as well as the Veteran's reported history of chronic lower back pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected arm length discrepancy, nerve damage of the right forearm, spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, and impingement of the sciatic nerve affecting the left and right lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to conflicting evidence, need for updated VA treatment records, and the requirement of a complete VA Form 21-8940 application.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC for loss of use of bilateral hips was denied as he is already receiving the maximum rate of compensation authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) for his loss of use of lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, left lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, right lower extremity), and peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve, left lower extremity) are all denied. The Board has remanded the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability were granted service connection, but the rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to August 11, 2017 was not compensable. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to review his medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional examination.