Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), stroke residuals, and peripheral neuropathy, are found to be at least in equipoise as to whether they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective August 25, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from April 1, 2014. Prior to that date, his TDIU was denied as he had been gainfully employed or able to obtain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board denied increased ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran also sought SMC based on loss of use of his left foot due to his sciatic radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence demonstrating 'loss of use' and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions, and failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements and medical articles.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy due to sciatic nerve has been rated at 10 percent since February 19, 2013. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms have consistently been described as mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since December 7, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU will be granted but without an effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability, kidney disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate development of his lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and femoral nerves. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 20 percent each, effective from October 3, 2016. The Veteran also received a separate rating for bladder dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and workplace limitations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease L4-5 from June 14, 2006 through December 1, 2019.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves or femoral nerves.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve were denied, with a remand ordered.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic scar was also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's disabilities were not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are more likely related to age-related changes rather than service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disability, hemorrhoids, and skin cancer due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability beyond that of cervical strain, including arthritis. The decision finds the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate secondary service connection opinion, and a new VA addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatica, as well as his upper extremity radicular nerve conditions were denied prior to May 27, 2019. The Veteran's current ratings for these conditions are also denied.