Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and lumbar radiculopathy to the right lower extremity, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent since November 23, 2022. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20 percent, effective from February 26, 2021. The Board also found her left lower extremity radiculopathy to approximate moderate incomplete paralysis and granted it a 20 percent rating as well.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including effective dates for ratings and entitlements. The case is returned to the RO for further development of missing records.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities and knee strains.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied by the Board. The disability is rated at 20 percent, which reflects mild to moderate symptoms of pain and numbness.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent from October 16, 2019, to September 26, 2021. The Board has remanded the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted for this period and also for a rating in excess of 20 percent since September 27, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg soft tissue injury or residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for such is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete information in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and addressing the issue of service connection for bilateral sciatica as secondary to a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for paresthesia in hands and feet, granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions, and granted service connection for rhinitis. Service connection for sinusitis was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve his eyes, have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, but they have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right ankle, eye, and respiratory conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.,Flu residuals are also being remanded as there is uncertainty about whether they are separate from service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis of the left foot, lumbar spine disorder, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the right eye (radiculopathy), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye (radiculopathy), decreased bone density, to include osteoporosis and osteopenia, acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma of the left eye, and glaucoma of the right eye are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis of the left foot, lumbar spine disorder, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the right eye (radiculopathy), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye (radiculopathy), decreased bone density, to include osteoporosis and osteopenia, acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma of the left eye, and glaucoma of the right eye are all granted.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his 20% ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower radicular groups. The Board has granted the request for the left side but denied it for the right side.,The Veteran also sought TDIU prior to January 25, 2017, which was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity neurologic impairment of the sciatic nerve. The remaining issues, including those related to other lower extremity nerves or right lower extremity, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,An effective date of August 10, 2009 has been granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.