Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to prostatitis with prostate hypertrophy is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a neurologic disability, to include radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as secondary to degenerative changes of the cervical spine.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a neurologic disability, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings. A TDIU was granted, and SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 21, 2003 for service connection of sciatic nerve damage resulting in phantom pain, right lower extremity. The decision is based on the Veteran's first contact with VA reflecting an intent to apply for benefits for this condition following a previous denial in June 1969.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. For the period from June 1, 2010 to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied. For the period from December 7, 2020 forward, a rating in excess of 40 percent was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in February 2021.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for secondary service connection for left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an initial rating greater than 10 percent for dermatitis of the hands, feet, elbows, and shins. The appeal for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Moody Air Force Base.

The Veteran's radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities is rated at 20 percent from April 29, 2014 to February 2, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's neuropathy of the left ulnar nerve is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is not secondary to a service-connected back disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,From April 20, 2009 to December 9, 2011, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve was not productive of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, lumbar spine, and related disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of July 14, 2011. The case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy from February 2, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but his right ankle disability does not warrant an extraschedular rating. The claims for sleep apnea and entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and upper extremities, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches effective May 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot disability and TDIU prior to July 29, 2016. The Veteran did not have a current right foot disability beyond those already service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's L5-S1 degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show moderate or more severe impairment.,The Veteran's low back strain disability has been remanded for further development.