Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted initial ratings of 40 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but these decisions are vacated due to procedural issues. The Veteran's symptoms have been characterized as 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable from June 7, 2012, to December 5, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence showed he was not unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder is granted. The claims of increased ratings for arthrosis post left knee medial meniscus tear, lumbar degenerative disc disease with left sciatica, and left lumbar radiculopathy are remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded. His claim of an increased rating for anxiety, NOS is remanded as well. Finally, his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies between the frequency of prostrating attacks reported by the Veteran and those found by the examiner, as well as discrepancies in the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU prior to June 20, 2020. The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes due to lack of testing and remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic pain syndrome is granted, and he is awarded an effective date of June 21, 2013 for his right knee arthroscopic surgical scars. The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy and right elbow olecranon bursitis with spur are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, and instability of the knees, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

A rating of 20 percent for low back disability is granted from September 18, 2012.,Ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from February 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine conditions and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have all been denied.,The Board found no current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and migraine headaches. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, migraines, and frequent urination. The Board also ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or more than 15 degrees of forward flexion. The Veteran's radiculopathy and osteoarthritis are also rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at its maximum level.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all remaining issues contained in the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (previously characterized as sciatica) has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to his Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.