Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were not in compliance with the November 2020 remand directives, thus requiring another remand for further development.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder with stress and urge incontinence is currently rated at 40 percent prior to October 22, 2020 and 60 percent beginning from that date. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 7, 2016 and 30 percent beginning from that date. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 40 percent since May 2, 2018. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent effective from May 2, 2018. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, lipoma, multiple myeloma, melanoma, lung condition (asthma and bronchitis), lower back pain, and bilateral leg tingling are not supported by evidence of a current disability related to service. As such, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left leg sciatica, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for right leg sciatica due to incomplete responses in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and gastritis due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions and claims of secondary service connection. The decision also notes that there are outstanding VA treatment records which need to be obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not reach the level of equipoise as to whether he requires aid and attendance or is permanently housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its November 2020 remand directives regarding obtaining service personnel records and private medical records. The Veteran's left ankle condition, lower back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 29, 2020. She is also found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied attorney fees for the February 2021 rating decision because it was an initial decision on issues of increased rating and service connection, and the appellant is not eligible to represent the Veteran in these matters.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, femoral nerve has been granted increased ratings to 30 percent each. The Veteran's residual scar is not compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left thumb disorder, bilateral corneal degeneration, prostate disorder, testicular dysfunction, renal disorder, left elbow disorder, gastrocnemius muscle disorders, and cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to these claims.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is rated at a maximum of 80 percent from March 28, 2017. The rating was increased based on the presence of complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve with foot dangles and drops.

Effective August 26, 2020, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome was rated at 20 percent.,Effective August 26, 2020, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 20 percent.,Effective August 26, 2020, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity-dominant cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity non dominant cervical radiculopathy, and surgical scar, right upper neck are all service-connected.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 21, 2020. From that date forward, they are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left knee condition and cervical spine condition have not been evaluated by VA since the rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,These issues include evaluations for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to address his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right index finger disability, residuals of a head injury, and vision disabilities. The issues on appeal include ratings for these conditions.

The Board has ordered an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and almost four years have passed since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating, while the right lower extremity radiculopathy and DJD of the lumbar spine are both remanded for further development.