Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and a new examination to assess the severity of the veteran's bruxism.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and VA's Director of Compensation Service found that he is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 22, 2011.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible reports of its onset during service, resolving all doubts in his favor. Service connection for neck disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, right shoulder disorder, and left ankle disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was restored to 40 percent effective February 1, 2020.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica due to potential errors in the decision-making process and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are credible, but further evidence is needed to establish whether his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral arthritic foot condition, lumbar spine condition, hypertension, and bilateral sciatica as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity; arthritis, left hip; and arthritis, right hip are all granted as secondary to his service-connected Marie Strumpell arthritis of the spine.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, both dating back to July 14, 2015. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar scar is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and other procedural issues. The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with spondylosis, as well as his radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, need further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from prior to October 24, 2017 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.,A TDIU rating was granted starting July 1, 2020 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle sprain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for macrocytic anemia and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence showing hemoglobin levels below 10 grams per deciliter or more than mild symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, pseudofolliculitis barbae, radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, right elbow fracture postoperative, and tinnitus, have resulted in the Veteran being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 25, 2021.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy conditions are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The Board requires additional VA opinions and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU have been granted ratings of 40 percent since July 25, 2005.