Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for right eye condition have been dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The back disability was rated at 20 percent, the left lower extremity radiculopathy at 20 percent, and a TDIU was granted from November 15, 2016 to February 21, 2021.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and essential tremor, both claimed as secondary to PTSD with dissociative features. The appeal is dismissed.

The appeal for restoration of service connection and special monthly compensation has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% from January 1, 2019. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's voiding dysfunction requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was remanded for a VA examination testing range of motion on active and passive motions, weight-bearing, and non-weight bearing. The VA examiner did not comply with these requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU since December 6, 2016. Effective December 6, 2016, the Veteran is also granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 10% rating effective June 5, 2020. The left knee instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage are each granted a 30% rating effective June 5, 2020. The low back disability, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are all granted 40% ratings effective June 5, 2020.,TDIU from March 31, 2010 to April 6, 2015, and August 2, 2016 to July 5, 2017 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate reasons and bases in the August 2019 decision. The issues include rating determinations from December 9, 2010, to July 17, 2017, and as of July 18, 2017, for a back disability; initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve disability due to conflicting opinions on their etiology. The RO will have an opportunity to reconsider these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, effective May 2, 2018. The bony deformity of the mandible is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral peripheral neuropathy disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level (10%) for mild incomplete paralysis, and higher ratings are not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his conditions throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a long history of remands and incomplete records. The issues include ratings for back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of nexus opinions in VA examinations. The Veteran's representative argued for service connection for a cervical spine disorder but it was not included in the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding whether service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease caused or aggravated these conditions. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from January 3, 2017 to the present.,His right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted on April 3, 2018 with effective date of April 3, 2018. The conditions include intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve and sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right knee degenerative arthritis with leg length discrepancy and right tibia/fibula compound fracture, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.