Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 7, 2016, and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service or a service-connected condition. Increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis were also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it began during active service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. Effective as of April 30, 2019, she is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as lumbar spine facet joint degeneration, have been granted effective from June 15, 2015. The Veteran's lumbar spine scars were also granted an effective date of the same day.

The Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral arm radiculopathy disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also remanded for a determination on whether it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 24, 2017 for a 20 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's report of worsening symptoms prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues include right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder (also claimed as left Achilles), lumbar spine disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral lower radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has already decided the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and low back disability, as well as the effective dates for these increased ratings. The appeal is dismissed because it would violate the doctrine of claim preclusion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased compensation ratings for bilateral hip disabilities and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, with a combined ROM of the thoracolumbar spine of 95 degrees. The rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.,Both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues related to service connection and rating increases are not addressed as they pertain to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The claims for service connection were not addressed as they are now moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance since September 6, 2017. The Board has granted SMC at the intermediate rate based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are significant, but his employment status is unclear. The Board finds a pre-duty to assist error and remands for clarification of the Veteran's work status since November 2020.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted effective July 1, 2011.