Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted at a 40 percent evaluation, and her right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 20 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected disabilities have been denied. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) at 40 percent, and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, was rated at 20 percent from October 10, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were classified as moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD with TBI and vertigo, headaches, lumbosacral strain, sciatica (both sides), shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (both sides), tinnitus, and bilateral varicocele and hydrocele are granted effective April 26, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated noncompensable prior to June 7, 2021, and 30 percent thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for the period on appeal prior to June 7, 2021.,For the period from June 7, 2021, the Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for lateral instability of the left knee and denied a higher rating.

An effective date of November 30, 2007, is granted for the award of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a 40% rating effective February 2, 2022. Service connection for alcohol abuse disorder and fatty liver disease is remanded.

Service connection for a back condition is granted. Service connection for right lower radiculopathy and left lower radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 20, 2020 for the grants of service connection for scoliosis with lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve, and lumbar radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve associated with their respective service-connected conditions have all been denied. The claim for intervertebral disc syndrome has had its rating continued at 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for numbness in his right lower extremity, including lumbar radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder radiculopathy secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least equipoise on whether his current condition is due to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for COPD and a right shoulder disability are remanded as there was no VA examination conducted for these conditions.

The Board is remanding the matters for clarification from a VA peripheral nerve conditions examiner due to an error in their decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding her claimed conditions, as well as a review of the evidence related to toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, LLE radiculopathy with foot drop, and RLE radiculopathy with foot drop. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was improper and reinstated the benefits. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as TDIU effective February 21, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 21, 2024.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,A higher rating of hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an extra-schedular TDIU prior to January 31, 2018 is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.