Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and associated neurological disabilities have rendered him physically incapable of meeting the demands of full-time employment, allowing for a TDIU effective prior to August 8, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 21, 2020. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from January 15, 2014 to July 11, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The appeal for a higher rating for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine status post laminectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus with history of chipped fractured L5 was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease with sacroiliitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and right hand conditions. The Board found that these conditions are not related to any incident or injury during active service.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right sciatica, and left sciatica effective February 1, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding insufficient evidence to determine if he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD, RUE radiculopathy, and LUE radiculopathy were evaluated. The initial rating for cervical spine DJD was denied prior to May 6, 2017, but granted thereafter at a 30% rating. An increased rating of 40% was granted for RUE radiculopathy from November 21, 2019, and an initial 30% rating was granted for LUE radiculopathy from the same date.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve involvement) are rated at 40 percent each, effective prior to September 20, 2016. Beginning September 20, 2016, the ratings for sciatic nerve involvement remain at 40 percent. The Veteran's femoral nerve involvement is not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for nerve damage of the bilateral legs, finding that it is secondary to a service-connected disability (stress fractures). The Veteran's polyneuropathy is attributed to her stress fractures.

The Veteran's sciatic and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy claims have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's increased rating for migraine headaches is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for right weak foot and left weak foot are denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Veteran's higher rating for his service-connected back disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected pes planus. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's current hypertension had its clinical onset during her period of active duty service, and the Board finds that service connection for hypertension is warranted.