Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is granted. An initial 20 percent rating for cervical degenerative disc disease is also granted from March 24, 1987. The effective dates for awarding service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatica radiculopathy are remanded. Higher initial ratings for these conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left sciatic nerves have been granted, but an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted effective September 24, 2020. The effective dates for the lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, neurogenic bladder, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were also granted on this date.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was granted effective June 26, 2014. The right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is not yet entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, require frequent adjustments of prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to wants of nature, or protect himself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefit records and medical opinions regarding the onset of his lower extremity radiculopathy.

Your appeals for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals under the Direct Review Lane.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for increased ratings for low back disability and radiculopathy of the left, right lower extremities. The Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 10, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's skin disability, back pain, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The main reasons are for obtaining updated medical records from VA community care programs and clarifying whether the Veteran's skin condition meets criteria for disfigurement.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from 20% to 10% was improper and restored the original 20% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disabilities had their onset during his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a neck condition, including spinal stenosis and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, due to inadequate medical opinion in the February 2021 VA examination. The Veteran's current neck condition is alleged to be related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's right posterior and anterior thigh gunshot wound residuals have been rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy has also been rated as noncompensable prior to November 21, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective September 23, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU from September 23, 2016 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.