Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right leg have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a June 2020 Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20% prior to September 1, 2020 and 40% thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and earlier effective dates for increased ratings of radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim effective June 10, 2009.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 10, 2017 was granted. From January 10, 2017 forward, the Veteran is now rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, pelvic disability (status post bilateral hip replacements), and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was partially granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for residuals of laceration injury, left middle finger; however, his claims for an evaluation in excess of 10% for painful scar, left middle finger, associated with residuals of laceration injury, and for an evaluation in excess of 20% for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple pulmonary nodules, right upper outer lung, and left foot tendonitis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation and functional capacity assessment. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened since his last evaluation.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to incomplete medical examinations and remanded issues. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy disabilities are being reviewed for increased ratings.

The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 20% prior to January 6, 2020 and denied a higher rating. After January 6, 2020, the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 20%. The Board did not grant TDIU.,The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated as 20% disabling prior to January 6, 2020 and remains denied. After January 6, 2020, the left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 30%. The Board did not grant TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, calcium deposit, and lumbosacral spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain a new VA medical examination and opinion, as the previous opinions were inconsistent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to May 29, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from March 1, 2016 to December 12, 2019.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted from January 20, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and additional remand is required.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his current lumbar spine conditions and in-service diagnoses, as well as whether his radiculopathy had its onset during service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 17, 2014. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate for this period.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is granted a 20% rating from March 8, 2016. His initial ratings for IVDS and radiculopathy are granted as requested. TDIU is granted from January 16, 2013 to March 8, 2016. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.