Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including any radiculopathy, as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder) have been rated based on their service-connected nature. The Board has found that the current ratings are not adequate to reflect the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran is being remanded for further examination to determine if his PTSD symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20% evaluation prior to December 10, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% and his impairment of the sciatic nerve due to radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was initially rated at 20%, but later increased to 40%. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20%.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a current disability or etiology related to in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to new evidence indicating muscle spasms and cervicalgia, which are not currently service-connected but may be related to the Veteran's service-connected back disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as VA did not obtain all requested private treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to procedural deficiencies in previous decisions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected disabilities.

An effective date of June 26, 2013, but no earlier, is assigned for the grant of an increased rating to 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability.,An effective date of June 26, 2013, but no earlier, is assigned for the grant of an increased rating to 40 percent for the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Entitlement to an effective date of January 1, 2006, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.,Entitlement to an effective date of January 1, 2006, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability rating for his service-connected conditions due to new evidence received after the case was certified to the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 24, 2018 are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective May 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities was granted an initial disability evaluation of 10 percent, effective May 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The VA will conduct examinations and provide medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's nerve disorder is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's nerve disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are evaluated at 10% prior to January 21, 2020, and 20% beginning from that date. The Veteran is denied an evaluation in excess of these ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to satisfaction with the 100% schedular rating awarded.