Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has granted an effective date of August 27, 2015 for the grant of secondary service connection and a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on VA treatment records indicating that gabapentin was used to treat radiculopathy in 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity sciatica disabilities have been dismissed as they were fully granted in a previous rating decision. The claim to reopen his thoracic spine disability has been granted, but the case is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip pain, left hip pain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements about symptoms that began in service and continued post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and dismissed the appeal of service connection for toxic chemical exposure. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of a bilateral foot, ankle, lower extremity radiculopathy, back, shoulder, or left knee condition as being related to service.,There is no current disability found for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee strain and a right knee surgical scar have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary for the Veteran's back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disability, ankle disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache disability due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's post traumatic vascular headaches have been restored to a 10 percent rating from December 21, 2018.,The claims for reopening the service connection for psoriasis and skin condition (secondary to sexual trauma or exposure to depleted uranium) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbosacral strain was denied. The current rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathies were denied. The Veteran's PTSD, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy were all rated as 10 percent disabling or higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, loss of use of feet and/or lower extremities, and whether his service-connected disabilities alone caused these issues. Additional VA treatment records are needed, as well as an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings related to PTSD, painful scar of the left middle finger, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The effective date is set at November 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and requests for private provider records. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are still under review.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the addition of new evidence after a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The claims include increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and psoriasis, service connection for erectile dysfunction, lichen simplex, urticaria, and furuncles, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve branch is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,From May 26, 2015 to January 26, 2022, the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve branch are rated at 40 percent, but no higher. From January 27, 2022, they are rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are caused by his service-connected back disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are at least as likely as not due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent, effective February 28, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

Effective dates of June 25, 2020, but not earlier, have been granted for the award of service connection for left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.,Service connection has been denied for a bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and urinary condition.