Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's sciatic nerve neuropathy ratings for both lower extremities were restored, but her spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease claim remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in both lower extremity sciatic nerve neuropathies and spinal stenosis are still under review.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, gastroparesis, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted ratings. The Veteran has also been awarded a TDIU and SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, and her claims for service connection of radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities were also denied. The Board found no evidence to support direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain relevant private treatment records and to clarify VA medical opinions regarding the severity of the appellant's disabilities during the period on appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to May 7, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right and left knee recurrent subluxation, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection was also granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition and secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the December 2019 VA examiner's opinion, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements and other diagnoses. The AOJ should obtain an adequate VA examination for the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection was not established due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30% rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted. However, her claim for a compensable rating for hyperthyroidism is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if there are any additional factors contributing to her need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal requesting earlier effective dates for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left thumb fracture residuals, a left shoulder disability, and a left foot disability. As such, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.,Service connection is granted for left ankle osteoarthritis and lumbar disc disease with right radiculopathy (back disability). Service connection is denied for service connection for left thumb fracture residuals, a left shoulder disability, and a left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left ankle disability. The effective dates are July 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for elevated liver enzymes, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sleep apnea, deviated septum, gastritis, neck disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, deviated septum, gastritis, and neck disability.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted a 50 percent rating effective January 29, 2018. The initial ratings for lumbar DDD and RLE radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder with anxious distress and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, as well as a VA retrospective medical opinion addressing his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy limits his ability to perform physical tasks required for sedentary employment.