Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities since June 18, 2013.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (recharacterized as sciatic nerve involvement) is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 8, 2020.,The Board denied the claim for a TDIU due to the Veteran's current employment status.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic prostatitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and providing retrospective opinions on functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were caused or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral foot drop, and sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy has resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group, warranting an initial 50 percent rating. The Board finds remand is required for completion of nerve conduction studies as specified by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the required duration.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain, guarding, muscle spasms, or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion considering all relevant evidence, including lay testimony.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective March 7, 2005. The earlier effective date for service connection of sciatica of the left lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal regarding the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity neurological disorder and right upper extremity neurological disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected lower left extremity sciatic radiculopathy is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's appeals have been remanded for further evaluation of various service-connected conditions, including sleep apnea, mood disorder, and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Veteran's back and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were previously discontinued due to his dissatisfaction with the counseling services. The Board has ordered a new evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine if he is now eligible for VR&E and suitable for the proposed program.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy were granted increased ratings effective October 15, 2020. The disability was rated at 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have all been denied by the Board. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met in any of these cases.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for additional examination and opinion. His right knee, hip, and thigh disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD L5-S1 with limited motion and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claims are also being remanded for further development.