Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent disabling starting from October 6, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as related to the now service-connected low back disability.,The claim of readjudication for service connection for bilateral pes planus is also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because she does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability, as her right hip disability alone does not qualify. The Board found that multiple of her service-connected disabilities contribute to her difficulty in maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, right foot disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left elbow, left elbow osteoarthritis, and a right knee disability with limitation of flexion. The Veteran's appeal for an increased compensable rating for right knee instability is remanded. Appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are also remanded. The TDIU claim is deferred pending adjudication of the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia, lower back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to their inextricable interrelation with the pending claim of service connection for fibromyalgia. The issues are being deferred until the fibromyalgia issue is resolved.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, blurry vision, vertigo, low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI with psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, meeting the criteria for this rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches has been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's radiculopathy left lower extremity is granted an initial 20 percent rating, considering the near-constant moderate to severe pain and occasional weakness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis was also denied. The Veteran's anxiety condition, sensitivity to bright lights (secondary to migraines), and sinusitis were not granted service connection. Other conditions like hypertension, IBS, and eczema were also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted.,Both his claims for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and migraines, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 8, 2010.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left leg sciatica is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking it to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, right arm, left ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions based on lack of in-service treatment records. The Veteran is advised to submit or identify any relevant evidence.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher.