Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary tract disorder (frequent urination), excessive thirst, and blunt force trauma to head with scar have been denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) has been granted at a 40 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) have been granted at 30 percent ratings, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for non-proliferative retinopathy with macular edema in the right eye has been denied. Service connection for PTSD has been granted at a 50 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability causes loss of use of his left foot, which prevents him from effectively operating an automobile. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, scar above the right eye, and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current conditions and her service or any other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder nerve condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability were all denied increased ratings.,Specifically, the cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the left upper extremity radiculopathy was not rated higher than 30 percent, the left knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, and the right knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease with herniated discs and bilateral foraminal stenosis has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating increase for her lumbar spine condition and service connection for left hip sciatica due to her lumbar spine condition. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the current severity of her conditions and their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a now service-connected back disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also considered service connected.,The decision does not specify any particular exposure basis or indicate that the appeal was related to the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to delays in obtaining necessary examinations and information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 22, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and eye disorders. The appeal is being returned to the RO to attempt to obtain records from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are granted with a 20 percent rating each, effective from the date of the initial claim. The earlier effective date for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is being reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for the neck disability was previously denied, but an effective date prior to December 5, 2013, is not granted as no claims were filed before that date.,Claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to lack of evidence showing they were part of the original neck disability claim.,The Veteran's COPD claim remains pending with additional development needed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine receiving a 40% rating since October 17, 2016, and the radiculopathies receiving 20% ratings for RLE and LLE prior to February 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of proper notification for a VA examination. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for the entire rating period, effective September 30, 2008.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings of lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was improper, and restored service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dismissed the appeals regarding cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities.