Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that no earlier effective date could be granted due to a July 6, 2017 auto-generated 'intent to file' form which did not preserve an effective date of July 6, 2017.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are denied.,The Veteran's entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is also denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as zero percent disabling, and a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to the presence of relevant SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records, private examinations, lay statements, and articles being added to the claims file. The RO must consider this additional evidence in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include lumbosacral strain with IVDS and disc bulge, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a psychiatric condition (PTSD).

The Veteran's initial disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted at a 20 percent level from February 28, 2020. Prior to that date, his condition was rated as 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint/disc disease was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating. The claim for service connection of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted, but a remand is ordered due to an inadequate VA examination in assessing the Veteran's current disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected failed back syndrome with chronic low back pain. The rating for the other conditions remains unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and needs further investigation regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right lower extremity nerve condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to evidence obtained after the previous remand. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU prior to July 1, 2021 due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been granted effective March 30, 2011. The claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as it is secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for right wrist scapholunate disassociation, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine junction with strain and degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 20, 2013, for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy was denied. The back disability is rated at 40 percent since May 9, 2001. Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves respectively. Service connection is established for Haglund's deformities of both heels.