Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical radiculopathy and right upper extremity neuropathy. The examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left peroneal nerve neuropathy, as well as his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, eye disabilities, and gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records, arranging for orthopedic examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, and resolving discrepancies in previous examination findings.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is rated at 40 percent effective June 13, 2014. The right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is granted a higher rating of 20 percent since December 14, 2016. The left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is also granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective December 14, 2016. Effective March 26, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits are granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sciatica, left lower extremity; herniated disc with muscle strain and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar spine; and strain, cervical spine have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating for convalescence following his neck surgery is denied as he did not require extended convalescence beyond February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information for assigning disability ratings and effective dates. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are pending.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for chronic lumbar syndrome of L4-5 and the evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, and TDIU due to procedural issues and lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and knee conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 25, 2016. Ratings in excess of 20 percent for the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied beginning November 25, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and posterior facet joint arthropathy are granted as service-connected. The right ankle, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, right shoulder disability (other than right upper extremity radiculopathy), left shoulder disability (other than left upper extremity radiculopathy and residuals of stab wound), respiratory disability (to include asbestosis), and hemorrhoids are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 8, 2014 to May 29, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for lumbar spine disability and sciatica are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not ready for decision due to outstanding records and outdated examination reports. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, a compensable initial rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy prior to February 5, 2021, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral diabetic retinopathy from February 5, 2021.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to December 7, 2020 and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to December 7, 2020.