Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is granted. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is rated at 30 percent prior to May 20, 2019 and since then. The Veteran's left and right upper extremity radiculopathy conditions are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, hernia residuals, lumbar spine DDD, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are all remanded due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to DIC based on service connection for cause of death, finding that neither service-connected PTSD nor any other service-connected disorder was a principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 60 percent rating effective June 4, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including higher ratings for service-connected disabilities and an earlier effective date. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after these other issues are resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition. The issue of increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (claimed as bilateral hip and thigh condition), and bilateral knee disability, all proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability are denied, with separate ratings granted for right lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to discuss material evidence and apply it to the appellant's claim, as well as for additional proceedings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that they are severe enough to prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for C5-C6 disc bulge, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent prior to July 11, 2019 and at 40 percent thereafter. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent from February 12, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee internal derangement is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of sciatic nerve paralysis, left side and right side due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the TDIU claim due to inadequate examination findings and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a separate 20 percent evaluation from March 5, 2018. Service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain and radiculopathy do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating prior to February 4, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).