Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand several cases due to the receipt of additional medical evidence. The Veteran is required to provide information about all healthcare providers who have treated him for his disabilities, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have not met the criteria for higher disability ratings.,Specifically, his cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent since April 7, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete or outdated medical records.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The current 10 percent rating will be reviewed in light of recent VA examination findings and any additional evidence obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,His back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 29, 2014 and then granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The radiculopathy of his lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability, based on evidence that supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a schedular TDIU. However, due to his non-service-connected stroke and Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnoses, he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that remand for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for a low back disability. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion on whether each diagnosed back disability is a congenital/developmental defect or disease, and if so, whether there was a superimposed injury or disease in service that resulted in additional back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the analysis regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the need for a retrospective medical opinion. Additionally, a new VA peripheral nerve examination is required to determine the extent of left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and a lumbar spine disability are dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU beginning November 5, 2010 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to service, including a fall from a military truck and an IED blast during his deployment in Iraq. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with the exception of his claim for a higher rating for left eye chorioretinal macular scar and his claims for ratings higher than 30 percent for right shoulder disability and cervical spine DJD. The remaining claims have been reopened and are granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for hearing loss. Additional development is required due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, headaches, left lower extremity neuropathy, a sciatic nerve condition of the right leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to ongoing VA examination and record requests.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board is remanding the cases to determine if earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are warranted.