Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no pending claim or increase in symptomatology within the one-year period prior to his May 3, 2018, claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, all secondary to the Veteran's low back disorders.

The Veteran withdrew their service connection claims for multiple conditions, including left knee, left ankle, sciatic nerve, right knee, back, and right ankle conditions. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD was granted effective September 17, 2020, which also established his need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) due to inadequate VA examination reports. A new examination is required.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 2, 2018 for service connection on all five conditions: intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right shoulder strain, hypertension, right Achilles' tendon tear, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and specially adapted housing, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of DDD with IVDS was granted, along with separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date is set at September 5, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since December 22, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine and sciatic nerve radiculopathy conditions are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs condition is also being remanded for additional development.,Service connection for an eye condition to include glaucoma is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and left leg numbness, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence being associated with the case file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to individual unemployability due to two or more disabilities, one of which is 40 percent or more with a combined evaluation of 70 percent or more. However, the Board finds that the March 2022 VA examination and opinion are inadequate as they do not address how the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy impacts his ability to perform sedentary work in an 8-hour workday.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are both granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for an initial higher rating than 10 percent for left knee disability, a rating higher than 10 percent for right knee disability, and service connection for sciatica in the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.,The VA has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and evaluations in excess of 20 and 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 5, 2018, for migraine headaches has been granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the adequacy of the October 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was granted with an effective date of May 25, 2010. The award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (associated with a low back disability) was also granted with an effective date of January 31, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's anemia, erectile dysfunction, tachycardia, thrombocytopenia, L5 radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease are all found to be caused by his service-connected acute myeloid leukemia (AML).,The Veteran's fatigue is not considered a separate disability from his AML-related conditions.