Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, which has been granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 7, 2016 for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and a rating of 10 percent for this condition. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of back, right hip, left hip, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The ratings have been increased to 20% from September 9, 2016 to October 2, 2022, and to 30% from October 3, 2022 for right knee disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back condition and associated radiculopathies were evaluated, with the Board denying increased evaluations.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to October 20, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed. The case is remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.

Effective August 15, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is now considered to have caused radiculopathy in his left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain is remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examination and the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy pending before the Board due to the June 2024 decision addressing all issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support an in-service onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims were also denied for secondary service connection of his lower extremity radiculopathies due to his lumbar spine disability.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,Service connection for a left foot disability is denied.,Service connection for a left hand disability is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is denied.,Service connection for a back disability is denied.,Service connection for right side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for left side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for a skin rash is denied.,Service connection for a right leg disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the rating decisions awarding his service-connected disabilities became final.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy, neck disorder, back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 40 percent since August 24, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of November 2, 2018, and increased ratings for COPD and PTSD are granted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy claims are also granted with an effective date of November 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar L5-S1 herniated disc and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, as they are related to a service-connected disability (status post medial meniscectomy of the left knee). The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide adequate examinations to determine if these conditions are secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for neuralgia sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities, as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.