Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted and rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for right ankle disorder in April 2020. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as his increased rating claim for a lumbar spine disability, are granted. Effective March 12, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 20% schedular rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's back disability and/or left leg radiculopathy are aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent prior to November 25, 2016, and 20 percent thereafter. The Board denied the Veteran's request for a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve of both lower extremities is granted with a rating of 20 percent.,TDIU was granted as of January 7, 2008.

The appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of records, including federal disability retirement records. The VA must obtain these records and provide a new examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for back, neck, right arm, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that his conditions did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, as well as failure to address certain evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not make him permanently bedridden, substantially confined to the home or premises, or unable to care for daily needs without requiring regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left leg scars based on limitation of motion of the left hip, and his service-connected disabilities are found to meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU for the period prior to October 22, 2010, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear etiology of the Veteran's right lower extremity disability and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, status-post hemilaminectomy and discectomy, and chronic left L-5 radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis of the spine.,The Veteran was not granted a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, status-post hemilaminectomy and discectomy, due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of TMJ, as well as examinations for left sided sciatica, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain with instability, sinusitis, status post lumbar spine scar, and spermatocele, status post vasectomy. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathy, sciatic nerve have been rated at 20 percent since December 14, 2012. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate based on moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathy, femoral nerve have been rated at 10 percent since September 24, 2019. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate based on mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on the Veteran's TDIU claim to clarify his work history as a military contractor.