Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left foot disability. The remaining issues have been remanded due to lack of medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and clarification. The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is presumed to have existed prior to service, but it must be determined if this condition was aggravated by service or not. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for right leg shooting pain (lumbar radiculopathy) will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 8, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating and earlier effective dates due to the inextricability of these issues with his claim for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all being remanded for further review due to recent developments in his case.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and associated radiculopathies have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating during the appeals period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lumbar radiculopathy, finding that his symptoms were best characterized as moderate.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 25, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for IVDS and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and earlier effective date for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection granted for right wrist chronic radicular strain, depression and anxiety, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. Service connection denied for right shoulder impingement syndrome and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg and right leg sciatica due to potential issues with the April 2012 VA examination, including a possible lack of flare-up during the examination. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to notify him of his scheduled VA examinations, lack of post-service treatment records, and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for a left foot disability, vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disorders, sleep disorder, or psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right central facial palsy, aphasia, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left foot disability is denied as there was no prior claim filed.,Service connection for vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

This decision grants the Veteran's claims for an effective date of July 22, 2002 for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as for his back disability. The effective dates are granted based on credible lay testimony from the Veteran regarding when he began experiencing symptoms related to these conditions.,TDIU was also granted effective July 22, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as there are missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded because it is intertwined with other issues on appeal, including his cervical spine disability. Additional medical records and examination may be needed to clarify the etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.