Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for impotence as secondary to medications prescribed for a service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection was denied for cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of a separate rating for RLE radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve due to conflicting findings from previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The cervical spine disability was granted a 40% rating, but the left and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims remain denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of decision. Separate evaluations for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 10, 2013 are also granted.

The Board denied higher ratings for sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent due to moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to new evidence received after the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and radiculopathy do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for service connection for a sciatic nerve condition, an increased rating for hepatitis C, and a temporary total disability rating. The earlier effective date claim for hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including private records from various providers.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the remaining claims for increased ratings are dismissed as they have been satisfied by granting the TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 30, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to assess the collective impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of her back disability, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy from 40% to 20%, effective January 1, 2019. The reduction was improper as there was no material improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound rate is also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy were granted initial ratings, with the right lumbar radiculopathy receiving a 20% rating from February 10, 2009 to September 21, 2020, and left lumbar radiculopathy receiving a 10% rating from June 22, 2013 to February 12, 2018.

The Board has decided some issues in favor of the Veteran, while others have been remanded for further action. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are mixed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, and residuals of a right ankle fracture are being remanded due to the need for further development.