Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back syndrome, limitation of motion of the dorsal spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for increased ratings for low back syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that they precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both found to be related to service. Service connection is denied for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Secondary service connection claims for eye disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have worsened since his last VA examination in December 2016. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted at a 20 percent rating, effective May 2, 2011. A higher rating for this condition is denied. The TDIU appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's right elbow/upper extremity disorder and cervical radiculopathy affecting the right upper extremity are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, bilateral hip trochanteric tendonitis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The right knee disability case is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the right sciatic nerve radiculopathy rating is denied as there was no ascertainable increase prior to April 28, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from August 25, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The left knee sprain, left Achilles heel spur, and left great ingrown toenail are each rated at the minimum compensable levels (10%). The left lower extremity sciatic nerve dysfunction and femoral nerve dysfunction remain rated at 20%.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and back conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective September 26, 2003 due to his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were rated at 40 percent effective December 5, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU on that date due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg sciatica due to potential connections with his active duty service or service-connected disabilities, specifically pes planus, chondromalacia patella, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg sciatica due to potential connections with his active duty service or service-connected disabilities, specifically pes planus, chondromalacia patella, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a neck disability is remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to missing records and incomplete claims file. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg claim is also remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.