Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 1, 2020, for the award of a 20 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain is dismissed. The appeal for an effective date prior to April 1, 2020, for the separate rating for LLE radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a post operative neck scar are granted with effective dates of March 14, 2013.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective October 22, 2019.,The Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent effective September 7, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of current diagnosis.,The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for migraines and urinary incontinence, as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including left wrist, left thumb, left hamstring, neck, migraine, and GERD.,An increased rating of 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia, effective December 17, 2020, was granted. The Veteran's LUE radiculopathy and CTS were also granted an increased rating to 70 percent, effective the same date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis was denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a gynecological disorder were all denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an earlier effective date of August 13, 2019.,A 10 percent rating for left chest gunshot wound residuals is granted from December 29, 2020.,Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from December 29, 2020.,PTSD rated at 70% effective August 13, 2019, until January 24, 2021, and 100% thereafter.,Individual unemployability is granted as of August 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, turf toe (left and right feet), left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's current disabilities are not established by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as allergic rhinitis, a right hip disorder, a left hip disorder, and sleep apnea. The claims for these conditions are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's right upper extremity disability, including radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his lower back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, or residuals of a right knee injury with chondromalacia and degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate medical examinations. Another examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee, lumbar spine, and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder and its relationship to service. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion focusing on the nature of the symptoms and treatment reported by the Veteran in the 1960s.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain TERA-specific VA medical opinions for the appellant's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected RLE radiculopathy from 20 to 10 percent was improper, and restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has denied service connection for a right foot disorder, specifically right lower extremity radiculopathy. The left foot disorder issue is remanded and requires further examination to determine the etiology of any current left foot conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left and right foot hallux valgus have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for acute sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depressive disorder), a right hip disability, a left hip disability, a right wrist disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity.