Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as the claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues related to examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the upper extremities are being remanded due to inadequate development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 13, 2020 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and radiculopathy (femoral nerve) left lower extremities have been denied.,The reductions in ratings for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) right lower extremity from 40 to 20 percent, effective May 5, 2021, and for radiculopathy (femoral nerve) right lower extremity from 30 to 20 percent, effective May 5, 2021, have been determined to be void ab initio.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to procedural errors in the initial adjudication by the RO.

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,Service connection for abnormal glucose/type II diabetes, colon polyps, heart condition, lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person from October 26, 2017 through March 11, 2019 due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is granted a 10 percent rating beginning April 12, 2006. The ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on multiple conditions, including chronic stomach condition, cirrhosis of the liver, enlarged heart, hypertensive vascular disease, low back condition, and sciatica of the left leg.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, upper extremity neurologic, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The appeal is now remanded to assign initial disability ratings and determine eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's right sciatic nerve radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to August 18, 2022 and denied a higher rating. For the period beginning August 18, 2022, he is denied a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's left sciatic nerve radiculopathy was granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected postoperative stage A teratoma of left testicle with orchiectomy. The case is being remanded for addendum VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine injury and associated right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied due to failure to appear for scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and to prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's treatment records from May 2022 onwards and complete records from Dr. J.C. at Southern Vermont Medical Center need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain private treatment records and provide a retrospective medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability and neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied her claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the issues of the propriety of reduction in ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.