Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2010.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as to determine if there is a relationship between his current disabilities and active service. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 13, 2020, and since that date is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is primarily manifested by mild intermittent pain, moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias and moderate numbness. The issue of service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral feet was referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left and right knee chondromalacia, and radiculopathy. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain was granted a 30% rating effective January 30, 2020.,The Veteran's lumbar spinal arthritis with IVDS was granted a 40% rating effective September 20, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain, lower extremity radiculopathies and his claim seeking a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for consideration of newly associated medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Special monthly compensation by reason of housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine status post spinal fusion, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a healed surgical scar on the upper posterior trunk, and an effective date earlier than May 19, 2014 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 30, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU effective January 8, 2010 is also granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral sprain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The lumbosacral sprain was not rated higher than 20 percent, while the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies each received a 20 percent rating effective January 10, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for denervation of left C8/T1 myotomes with cervical radiculopathy, granted service connection for left wrist median neuropathy and left elbow ulnar neuropathy, but denied an initial compensable rating for residuals of left fifth digit fracture.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, effective March 9, 2020.,Prior to March 9, 2020, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent. From March 9, 2020, it is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is increased from 10 to 40 percent effective March 9, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2020.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, another remand is needed before the Board can adjudicate these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to worsening symptoms, and he needs new VA examinations for his cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's service connection for anxiety disorder is granted, and he receives a higher rating of 70 percent. Effective May 16, 2018, the Veteran also received earlier effective dates for his service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.