Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 1, 2015 was denied.,A 10 percent rating was granted for the period from December 1, 2015 to February 4, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected spinal compression fractures, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and epilepsy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (panic disorder, back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) have made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine degenerative joint disease and associated radiculopathy was granted due to equitable tolling of the 60-day filing requirement, as he believed he had properly opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and secondary service connection for his left leg radiculopathy as it is related to his back condition. The evidence supports that the Veteran's back injury occurred in service, leading to current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% effective June 3, 2009 and increased to 40% effective August 10, 2018. Effective June 3, 2009, the Veteran also received a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Board denied entitlement to TDIU prior to August 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on causation and aggravation, as well as a disconnect between requested and provided opinions.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for higher ratings and effective dates related to the Veteran's back pain and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for left ankle scar, left shoulder scar, and painful left shoulder scar were dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of muscle atrophy or ankylosis associated with the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning increased evaluations for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining service records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, IVDS of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, knee arthritis, tinnitus, and various nerve entrapments, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective January 25, 2018. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from January 25, 2018 to July 1, 2020. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the Veteran's work history and earnings, requiring further development to clarify these matters.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various nerve conditions, as well as TDIU. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's sinusitis and headaches are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Afghanistan. The left hip disability and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further examination and opinion.