Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct link between the Veteran’s current disabilities and his military service, or secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand numbness and lumbar spine disability, including associated radiculopathy, need further examination to determine their etiology and appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from December 25, 2013 through September 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with degenerative disc disease and sciatica of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's appeal is also remanded due to new evidence being associated with his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and for an addendum medical opinion regarding his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim will be considered again as part of the increased PTSD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of flare-ups and functional impact during those flare-ups. The issues include left knee strain, lumbar spine strain with arthritis, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation.,No new rating assigned as the maximum schedular ratings were not assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before November 26, 2018. His TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded, as are his claims for increased ratings and TDIU. The VA will obtain treatment records, schedule examinations, and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran had not been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy and urinary incontinence are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The VA must obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar spine strain. The appeal for a compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy were insufficient, and remanded for further examination. The issues of service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined with the issue of increased rating for a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, cubital tunnel syndrome, and other conditions, have prevented him from obtaining or following substantially gainful employment since August 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating. The thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 4, 2020 and denied any higher ratings. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted initial 20 percent ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU from December 10, 2020. The Board remanded the matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, low back disability, radiculopathy, knee disabilities, and right knee scar. The specific issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as of May 29, 2018, and prior to that date.