Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to June 5, 2019, is not warranted for the grant of service connection for right and left femoral nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent since June 5, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status or permanent need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of TDIU, DEA, and a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to unresolved procedural or evidentiary issues.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding when the condition began.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis of L4 and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are rated at initial disability ratings, but he contends they are more disabling than reflected by these ratings. The Board has remanded for further examination to assess the severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran also asserts that he is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities, and a TDIU is being considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability and for a compensable rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy due to conflicting evidence from VA examinations.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder. The issues of service connection for seizure disorder, headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral flatfoot remain pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several knee and lower extremity conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome and a back disability with sciatica due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of January 12, 2019 for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbosacral and thoracic strain.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal for right eye pain is dismissed due to a lack of a decision within one year preceding the VA Form 10182.,The Veteran's claim for left knee pain and sinus infections was denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Veteran's skin problems, including facial acne, were granted service connection based on the benefit of doubt due to her competent descriptions of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from December 28, 2017, based on his service-connected lower back disability and radiculopathy. The effective date is retroactively applied due to the nature of the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in multiple extremities, are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder strain disabilities.

An effective date of December 8, 2009 is granted for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine.,An effective date of December 5, 2017 is granted for the grant of service connection for sciatica of right lower extremity.,No earlier effective date is granted for the grant of service connection for sciatica of left lower extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and associated lumbar radiculopathy, LLE. The claim for service connection for headaches disorder is remanded due to a lack of consideration of whether it is related to the cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's sinusitis disorder claim is also remanded as the VA examiner did not address his current symptoms or provide an opinion on whether they constitute chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right shoulder, elbow, hip, and headaches disabilities have been granted. The appeal for a higher rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 1, 2019.