Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as he is able to leave his home for medical appointments and grocery shopping.

The Veteran's bilateral flat foot, pes planus is rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board also granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the right leg as secondary to a low back disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and he received a 40% disability rating for his lumbar strain starting from June 9, 2020. His left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was granted a 20% disability rating effective from June 9, 2020. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) received a 20% disability rating as well.

The Board denied service connection for RLE radiculopathy and lumbar spine disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented, leading to a denial of all issues on appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for episodic lumbosacral strain with right side sciatica, bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable disability rating for tinea versicolor effective October 1, 2001. The December 2020 document was not considered a valid decision by VA.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2022 Rating Decision, as the decision was not an appeal of a prior decision but rather an initial claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition, including spinal stenosis, and his active service, specifically the forklift accident in March 1990.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for back condition with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, nerve damage to right lower extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right upper extremity.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for right sciatic nerve radiculopathy from November 9, 2020. Prior to that date, the Veteran's symptoms were rated as mild and did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeals for right C8-T1 motor radiculopathy and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was withdrawn. The Board granted a 20 percent rating from January 8, 2020, for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in an inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 5, 2016. Effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted as of that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, migraines, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and corneal scar, right eye (right eye disability) have been denied.,The earliest effective dates available under the applicable law for these awards are February 11, 2019, for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, and migraine headaches; January 22, 2014, for corneal scar, right eye (right eye disability).

The Veteran's sleep apnea and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a direct link to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection for tinnitus was dismissed due to lack of case or controversy regarding the issue.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the service-connected conditions listed, including PTSD, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot and left foot disabilities, hip limitations, wrist ganglion cyst, scar on the right wrist, allergic rhinitis, sciatic radicular pain of the left lower extremity, shoulder disability, and traumatic brain injury. As a result, all appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with an increased rating for major depressive disorder to 100 percent and service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity effective March 9, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neurological disabilities and tendon rupture.