Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and T12 anterior wedge fracture with T8/9 disc herniation from December 5, 2017 are both granted. The Veteran receives a 20 percent rating for her T12 anterior wedge fracture with T8/9 disc herniation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is remanded to determine the nature of any left lower extremity neurological disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected tension headaches, as well as whether he has established neck and right upper extremity radiculopathy conditions. The cause or aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected back disability will also be evaluated.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 24, 2009 to February 11, 2013, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his gastritis, somatic syndrome disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee internal derangement (flexion), left knee lateral instability, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran also needs clarification on the nature of his claimed balance disability.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a 20% rating from December 22, 2014 to January 6, 2016. Ratings greater than 20% are denied thereafter.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the January 2023 remand directives and thus, another remand is warranted for further development.

Service connection is granted for right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder osteoarthritis, cervical spine DJD, and cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities.,A separate claim for service connection for right elbow tendonitis is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, degenerative arthritis, IVDS with spinal stenosis, was granted service connection effective February 26, 2004.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted service connection effective February 26, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including lumbar radiculopathy, was aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine issues, back problems, dizziness, hemorrhoids, and urethra stricture. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing an addendum opinion to supplement a previous DBQ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and secondary service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability, finding that it is related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU. Additional evidence must be considered, a VA examination is needed, and the SSOC process should be completed.

The Board has dismissed the claims for restoration of severance of service connection for lumbar spine DDD and sciatic nerve (right lower radiculopathy) associated with lumbar spine DDD as these claims have already been denied in a previous Board decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection due to a lack of confirmed periods of active duty, and found that her statements regarding injuries were not credible.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection of cardiovascular symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinea versicolor. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.