Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for iliotibial band syndrome of the right and left knees was denied, while his claim for service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected chronic lumbar strain was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent effective August 20, 2019. The earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted.

An increased 50 percent rating for a thoracic/lumbar spine disability is granted.,Prior to June 21, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment. Since June 21, 2019, his acquired psychiatric disability has made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Since June 21, 2019, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's restless leg syndrome of the right and left lower extremities was granted a rating of 20 percent each prior to October 4, 2018.,A combined rating for radiculopathy and restless leg syndrome (sciatic nerve) of the right lower extremity from October 4, 2018, to the present was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for hypertension due to a lack of current VA examination reports. The Veteran failed to report for scheduled examinations, which requires denial of these claims without further evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The opinions are needed to determine if OSA is caused or aggravated by asthma, and whether obesity/weight gain is a substantial factor in causing OSA. Additionally, the examiner must consider all lay evidence, including the Veteran's statements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity disabilities, including sciatica, due to inadequate examination and opinion addressing their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service or preexisting asymptomatic scoliosis, and whether any increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were denied as the claims had already become final due to a prior reduction in rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, left knee arthritis, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy.,All issues related to these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he was not rendered unemployable due to only one service-connected disability, but rather multiple disabilities including his neck and back pain.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for additional development. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, cervical radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), and a left knee disability are also remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the disability is currently rated appropriately under Diagnostic Code 8513.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and joint disease, as well as his radiculopathy (sciatic) of the left lower extremity prior to August 21, 2018, are granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited range of motion. The Veteran's back surgical scars are noncompensable as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is associated with his back disability and is inextricably intertwined, so it must be addressed along with the back disability issues.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 19, 2018 for a 20% rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Board also grants entitlement to TDIU and DEA from June 18, 2018.