Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, but not higher. The Board did not find any additional symptoms warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability was granted effective May 11, 2016. The Veteran requested earlier dates, which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted service connection effective May 11, 2016. Again, the Veteran requested earlier dates which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 10, 2014 for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date was February 10, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was also denied as it should correspond to the effective dates for service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including VA and non-VA treatment records. The examiner is also asked to assess the severity of his IVDS and determine if he has experienced incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, diagnosed as cervical radiculopathy and nerve neuropathy of the carpal tunnel, is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal for service connection for low back disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity is dismissed. The appeals for hyperlipidemia, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, muscle atrophy, CIDP, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and development needs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and medical records to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, mild C5-C6 spondylosis, modern bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, L5-S1 herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding her left foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has found that a new medical examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether he has muscle atrophy in his legs. The matter is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since March 14, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's symptoms have persisted since his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the entire period on appeal, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations, worsening of symptoms since the last examination, and need for additional medical opinions regarding right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for increased ratings can be adjudicated. The case must be remanded to obtain VA treatment records, SSA records, and a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated nerve disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, testicular hypofunction, neck disability, cervical radiculopathy, esophageal disability, back disability, bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD. The issues are related to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by his time in service.

The Veteran's cervical spine posttraumatic arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the May 2021 VA examination report. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again to determine if functional ankylosis exists.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of these conditions without considering the effects of medication.