Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including disc disease, disc herniation, radiculopathy and spondylosis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service due to in-service onset of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica of the left lower extremity, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jump injury. The decision also notes that the Veteran's current symptoms align with his history of back pain following a parachuting accident.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, left leg disability, right leg disability, arthritis, tendonitis, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for the external popliteal nerves of both legs.,A TDIU claim is remanded as part of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a lumbar spine condition have been reopened, and the appeals are granted.,Service connection has been granted for MDD (including bipolar disorder) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issue of service connection for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are granted service connection due to aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Veteran's insomnia is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have been rated as 40 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted at this time.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for both knees is not warranted at this time.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information from her federal disability retirement benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, mild neurocognitive disorder, sleep apnea with asthma, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, neck injury, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, rendered him unemployable for the period from September 8, 2018 to November 25, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for gingivitis for compensation purposes is denied. His claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of examination for left upper extremity radiculopathy, and the Veteran's obligation to assist VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as headaches due to lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being provided an opportunity for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted an initial rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,For unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (PTSD) and depression, the Veteran's claim was granted as they are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's speech disability is remanded due to its potential connection to a stroke. The ratings for her shoulder disabilities, radiculopathy, and hernia are also remanded as the evidence suggests worsening symptoms. Her TDIU claim is remanded as it involves employment issues.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 20 percent rating each, effective as of the date of this decision.