Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) is remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations, which may affect her eligibility for the benefit.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 22, 2017 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hip, right hip, cervical spine DDD with spinal stenosis, and RUE cervical radiculopathy have been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for GERD during the review period (from June 8, 2020, through October 23, 2020) has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities with an effective date of September 17, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as no earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left sciatic nerve disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were considered to be moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further consideration of the basis for her TDIU award.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that July 20, 2018 is the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 27, 2019. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 is now May 1, 2018.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for rating increases and service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the thoracic spine is granted service connection.,Service connection for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities is granted with an initial evaluation of 20 percent disabled, effective November 13, 2019.,Effective date earlier than November 13, 2019, for service connection for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The initial rating for PFB remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, neck disability and associated radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete information.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, right lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were caused by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for a new addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremities conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,For her back disability, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating but the evidence does not support an increase beyond 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of his disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies. The appeals for TDIU benefits prior to May 14, 2012 and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical records and a need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her military status on the date of a letter submitted in 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings are remanded due to a lack of updated medical records and inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities.