Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU prior to October 17, 2019 are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a rating higher than 20 percent for left lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as granted remand of the rating decisions for thoracolumbar degenerative disc condition, respiratory condition (including asthma and COPD), migraines, and TBI with photophobia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that an effective date of April 25, 2016 is warranted for the Veteran's bilateral lower radiculopathy.,The Veteran also seeks higher disability ratings for his back and leg conditions. The Board finds a remand necessary to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral lower extremity neurological/muscular disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to July 12, 2023 and 40 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are each rated at 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent effective January 9, 2017. All other issues related to knee disabilities have been denied.

Service connection is granted for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with spondylosis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left hip degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be related to his current conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury, headaches, cervical stenosis and arthropathy with radiculopathy status post diskectomy, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy require a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and tension/migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent since February 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, radiculopathy, high blood pressure, and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.,Left lower extremity sciatica was rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2017, and granted a 40 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure of the VA to obtain medical opinions and provide proper notice. The claims will be adjudicated again after obtaining necessary information and conducting further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Veteran's private physician and readjudicating the increased rating claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease and remanded all associated issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for a higher rating for left knee revision total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran was also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 40 percent since February 6, 2011. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 30 percent from August 19, 2016.