Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not require regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for a higher initial rating for IVDS and a payment date earlier than February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve impairment is rated at 40 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's right peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve impairment is rated at 40 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's left peripheral neuropathy with femoral nerve impairment is rated at 30 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's right peripheral neuropathy with femoral nerve impairment is rated at 30 percent since November 18, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right foot arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 19, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for multi-level degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for retroactive opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a left hip disability and whether it is related to his military service.

For the rating period prior to February 14, 2012, the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain disability was rated at 40 percent.,Since February 14, 2012, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for a skin disability, entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right leg radiculopathy, entitlement to service connection for pain of the mouth/tooth, and entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of peritonitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they are not legally entitled to such based on the lack of timely filed NODs and the fact that no Notice of Disagreement was received within one year from the June 1997 rating decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral glaucoma, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, hypertension, and LLE radiculopathy.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion addressing the effect of the Veteran's MOS on his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted. The case is remanded for further development related to increased ratings and SMC.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his left upper extremity radiculopathy, are not related to service. The most probative evidence indicates these conditions arose from post-service work injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and radiculopathy are related to her service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, granting her claim for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.