Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve was dismissed as the claim has been granted in full.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve was denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on all issues are remanded due to errors in the decision-making process and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an examination report that did not comply with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bladder disability have been denied. The Board has found no evidence of current disabilities under DSM-5.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various musculoskeletal and gynecological issues, including a hysterectomy, low back disorders, radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, depression, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatic neuropathy of the left and right legs, as well as left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for clarification of the standard used in assessing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation for the period between July 8, 2019, to September 29, 2021. The Board has granted TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back condition (lumbar arthritis), lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder arthritis and tendonitis, and left knee condition are all granted service connection. The hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board has found that a remand is required to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the severity of his RUE and LUE radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial denial of service connection for urinary frequency due to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are granted with an effective date of March 20, 2013.,It was determined that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU from March 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective July 20, 2018, as the reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable was improper due to lack of material improvement in his condition.

Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.,The issue of service connection for sinusitis is dismissed as moot due to the VA RO's independent grant prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for nonspecific reaction to tuberculin skin test without active tuberculosis claimed as an unspecified respiratory disability was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for left leg radiculopathy and a left hip disability claimed as dislocation of the pelvic bone were denied because there is no evidence of such conditions during service or at any time since.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relation to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his service-connected back disability and radiculopathies of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically in obtaining SSA records and service treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.