Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for back disability was denied, but a higher rating of 20 percent is granted effective January 18, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various hand, foot, and lower extremity disorders due to incomplete examinations and the need to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam or Southwest Asia. The VA will conduct the necessary examinations and provide opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine; rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy; and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's lumbosacral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a rating of 20% effective from November 4, 2020. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an error in the previous decision regarding the nature of the Veteran's claims and a need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which is presumed to be related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his spinal conditions, as well as his claim for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to February 5, 2020 and at 40 percent since that date.,Since June 22, 2012, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy associated with his lumbar spine disability are rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee replacements, right shoulder arthritis, and radiculopathy of all four extremities) contributed to his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The effective date of service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of cervical radiculopathy, as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an etiology opinion on the Veteran's back disability and considering service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatic pain.

The Board denied a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he has remained employed as a truck driver throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated disc and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve are denied.,There is no indication that the Veteran has moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2014 through March 14, 2020. Effective January 6, 2014, the Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.