Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a separate 10 percent rating, but not higher, for a painful scar of the left knee are granted. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected hypertension is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeals regarding these conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a lumbar spine disability. The appeal was remanded to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and PTSD were dismissed as the claims have been resolved by full grant of benefits.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, previously claimed as PTSD, was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes cavus, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg radiculopathy due to inextricable interdependence with the claim of service connection for pes cavus.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability has caused and/or aggravated his radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. Service connection for these conditions will be granted if found to be warranted.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2019 remand directives and thus, another remand is necessary to identify all low back disabilities present during the appeal period and obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 17, 2009 for service connection of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and a VA male reproductive examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions and issues due to improper docketing under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The Veteran is advised that she may pursue her claims under the legacy system.

The Veteran's radiculopathy affecting the right and left sciatic nerves with periodic limb movement syndrome was rated at 10 percent prior to May 25, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings due to mild impairment of the lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and back disabilities. The claim for left knee disability was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection is granted for thoracic scoliosis and low back strain.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and hepatitis C have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to a cervical spine disability. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy disabilities. The Veteran must be scheduled for new examinations.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors for all the claims on appeal, including the increased rating claim for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with cervical radiculopathy of the left. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted with a disability rating of 60 percent, effective July 21, 2009.,The Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims. The Veteran's testimony and medical records support her claim of ongoing back pain since service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period, with a separate 20 percent rating granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 27, 2019.,Prior to February 27, 2019, the Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent. From that date forward, he is entitled to a separate 20 percent rating for each of his lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.