Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear information regarding her service during her injury on July 26, 2000. The issues must be further investigated and verified.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that his current disability is related to his in-service hernia surgery and heavy lifting.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's National Guard service and the relationship between his back condition, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims will be further developed with additional medical records and a VA examination if necessary.

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

The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 30% effective October 5, 2021.,Right leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10%, and the Veteran contends for a higher rating. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability from February 7, 2013. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and a nerve disability, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of GERD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims in writing.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right lumbar radiculopathy. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity neurological condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition was dismissed. Service connection for his low back disability is granted, and the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his low back disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for an ear condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the need for additional examinations, updated treatment records, and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of both left and right lower extremities are currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 14, 2015. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral foot disorder due to outstanding VA medical records and further development.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy since May 31, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran's disabilities were not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities have been rated at 10 percent each since May 11, 2011. The Board is remanding these issues for additional development.,The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation as his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve and granted a 30 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, effective from February 21, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, work history, skills, and training, resulting in a TDIU grant.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of radiculopathy in both lower extremities, finding that his symptoms more closely approximated mild incomplete paralysis and thus warranting the currently assigned 10 percent rating.