Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine surgical scar as they were not final decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, all related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, and headache disorder.,The Veteran's current low back and sciatic nerve disorders are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted with an effective date of November 5, 2019.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is rated at 20 percent, effective November 22, 2024.,The initial rating for GERD has been restored to 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective April 23, 2013.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence shows constant pain with radiating symptoms down the legs, but no unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Board found that despite the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, he retained the ability to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment. Therefore, his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.

The Board has restored the 20 percent ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities and lumbar radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, effective from August 1, 2020. The Veteran's symptoms have not improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of current diagnoses or symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of current diagnoses or symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep apnea disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,An increased disability rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from August 11, 2022, is granted.

Service connection for thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar IVDS and associated lower extremity radicular disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a LEFT shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, as well as the denial of SMC at the K-rate on account of 'loss of use' of the LEFT foot.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance due to lack of permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg radiculopathy and right leg pain to include radiculopathy, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), concluding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is denied. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right upper extremity thoracic nerve radulopathy is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome is related to active duty service.,The evidence of record persuasively demonstrates that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 20 percent for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy from August 9, 2013 to June 21, 2019 as there is no evidence showing entitlement to a higher evaluation during this period.