Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent, effective October 10, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the issue of whether the Veteran's right elbow tendonitis is related to his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the shoulder and radiculopathy, needs further clarification. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her adjustment disorder and various physical conditions, have impacted her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot condition and lumbar spine disease, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits since February 25, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate evaluations by VRCs, and a new evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves of both lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the severity of the disabilities did not more nearly approximate moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability in the form of lumbar spinal stenosis and right lower extremity radiculopathy resulting from April 2010 VA lumbar spine surgery, finding that there was no additional disability.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, VA and private treatment records from various sources need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is June 1, 2017.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD as it did not meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the claims for other conditions are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hand disability, right ear hearing loss, and several other conditions. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve conditions, bilateral foot conditions, and bilateral knee conditions. The issues of service connection for a sinus condition and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability. The claims for secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the low back disability are remanded due to a lack of opinion regarding these issues.

An effective date of March 16, 2007 for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches is granted.,Effective dates of February 24, 2009 and February 19, 2009 are granted for the grants of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted effective from June 30, 2016. The initial compensable ratings for left and right external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy have been denied. Higher evaluations for right anterior crural and left anterior crural nerve radiculopathy have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and left thumb tendonitis are all denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), a right knee disability, a left wrist disability, and chronic headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent from April 25, 2013 to March 12, 2019. From March 12, 2019 onwards, the rating for lumbosacral strain is denied. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent effective from March 12, 2019.