Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's disabilities are rated at 100 percent combined, but the Board finds that he does not meet the threshold requirement for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right jaw disability, RLE and LLE radiculopathy were granted service connection. The Veteran's TBI/head injury with acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. Ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy were granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for further development.,No effective date is assigned as the preponderance of the evidence does not support an earlier diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and dysfunctional bleeding, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner should determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her military service, caused by her acquired psychiatric disorder, or aggravated by her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from July 21, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and proper notification of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which the Veteran contends is related to his service-connected low back disability. The appeal was remanded for additional development and further examination.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy and headaches. Service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU rating prior to September 13, 2018.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2015. The RO has now restored the original ratings of 20 percent for these conditions.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 10 percent effective December 7, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities; degenerative joint disease, left knee; and plantar calcaneal bone spur, left foot are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, as there are inconsistencies and gaps in the record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy and/or brachial neuritis of the right upper extremity, to include as due to service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 20, 2017 to October 1, 2019. The low back disability received a grant of increased rating to 70 percent.

A rating of 40 percent for a back disability is granted effective April 8, 2019.,Entitlement to ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is denied.,TDIU is granted effective April 8, 2019. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as hip condition), and a back disability as secondary to her service-connected shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 29, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU for the periods from April 29, 2015 to June 9, 2016 and from August 1, 2018 to May 20, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,The Veteran's right foot skin disorder and left foot skin disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed as the issue has been fully resolved by an earlier grant of service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.