Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hemorrhoids have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is remanded as there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors that need to be corrected before deciding the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the period from August 27, 2003 to August 21, 2014. The Board found that he was capable of performing sedentary work with a sit/stand accommodation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain, left upper extremity neuropathy (ulnar nerve), and right upper extremity neuropathy (ulnar nerve) was denied. However, the Veteran received an initial rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of error in decision-making. The Veteran was granted service connection for low back strain and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, effective June 15, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to April 2, 2019, and has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TBI, GERD, headaches, ED, right knee arthritis, left hip strain, and right hip strain are all granted service connection.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is also granted as secondary to right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted effective June 14, 2001. The date entitlement arose is prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's low back strain/sprain is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, for the period on appeal.,Ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective January 5, 2015.,Entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from July 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's initial increased disability ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied. Increased disability ratings of 10 percent prior to March 29, 2024 and 20 percent thereafter for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the onset of left lower extremity radiculopathy. The SMC claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. Prior to May 18, 2022, he was also granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to moderate incomplete paralysis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 29, 2019. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as he was employed full-time until that date.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, or both are associated with his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent. Other conditions have either been denied or are not at issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for sciatic radiculopathy and various peripheral neuropathy disabilities have been granted with effective dates set at October 22, 2021. The Veteran also received a combined 100 percent disability rating, qualifying him for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities is granted with a 40% evaluation, but no higher. The TDIU issue has been remanded.