Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability with bilateral sciatica, and then readjudicate the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied service connection for various scarring conditions and knee, hip, ankle, and leg disorders due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The right ear condition, hypoglycemia, and earlier effective date for hypertension claims have been withdrawn by the appellant (or his authorized representative).,The right arm/wrist condition was granted by a previous rating decision. The appeal for this issue is dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension has been remanded due to lack of VA examination.,The claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, skin condition (claimed as dermatitis and/or eczema), left hip condition, right shoulder condition, and right hip condition are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for PTSD was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,Service connection for headaches was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy involving the sciatic and femoral nerves of both lower extremities have been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,There is no evidence indicating that the Veteran's radiculopathy involves the femoral nerve prior to October 24, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities due to conflicting opinions regarding the severity of his conditions without medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy, is a result of his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for his cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the May 2022 VA examination report. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination of his cervical spine disability, including clarification on the extent of additional limitation in range of motion during repetitive motion testing.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to procedural errors and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are now before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a middle back disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim during a Board hearing.,The Veteran's appeals for separate disability ratings and service connections for various upper extremity disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for nerve disabilities of the right and left lower extremities, including sciatica, due to in-service exposure or injury. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating constant use of an ambulatory device such as a cane or wheelchair. The Board has granted entitlement to specially adapted housing but denied the special home adaptation grant due to mootness.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and right leg radiculopathy were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a final decision.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic nerve disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic bronchitis. The Veteran's VA treatment records are being requested.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for tinnitus, cervical spine strain, lumbar strain and DDD, LLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, residuals of a chest contusion, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The effective dates for these awards are being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions and service connection claims. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back condition and bilateral sciatic pain due to new legal requirements and need for clarification in the medical opinions.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy with left hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent, and the right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent. The vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with bulging disc are currently rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 16, 2013 to June 13, 2023 is granted. From June 14, 2023 onwards, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and nephropathy with hypertension; bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves; bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; and a lumbar spine disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the entire period of the appeal.