Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as effective dates prior to February 15, 2016 are not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as his increased ratings for cervical spine strain and migraine headaches. The decision states that there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship between the service-connected cervical spine strain and the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were granted effective June 24, 2019.,Effective June 23, 2020, the Veteran was assigned a 20% rating for his service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right lower extremity peripheral nerve condition, including right leg radiculopathy, as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain due to duty-to-assist errors and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy resulted in moderately severe symptomatology throughout the appeal period, and the Board granted a 40 percent rating for each condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis was denied, and the effective date of service connection remains February 15, 2016.,Initial ratings of 40 percent were granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy with peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy with peripheral neuropathy. The effective dates remain February 15, 2016.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and is remanding the case for further action, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to evaluate his sciatic radiculopathy and right ring finger fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for upper extremity neuropathy, left claimed as bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed because he is already service connected for the condition.

The Veteran's service connection for status post left pelvic and femur fracture with impaired flexion of the thigh, status post left pelvic and femur fracture with impaired extension of the thigh, radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity, and radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity have been granted effective May 18, 2014.,The initial ratings for these conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective date for the award of service connection for PFB was denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2011 for the grant of a separate rating for RLE radiculopathy. The matter is REMANDED to assign an initial rating for the period prior to September 13, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's L4-L5 and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease (DDD) and right L4-5 disc herniation with radiculopathy, finding that it is related to his service-connected right knee PFPS with osteoarthritis, right ankle sprain with residual instability, and/or right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to a failure to obtain an opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected hip disabilities.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a lumbar spine disability, a left shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Obesity was a substantial factor in causing the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a retroactive payment of VA disability compensation benefits due to changes in the rating assigned to right upper extremity radiculopathy (RUER) associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded. The decision will involve obtaining an audit report or generating one if it has not been made.

Service connection for a lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims were denied due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service, and the current conditions are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral sciatica disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The left knee arthritis disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cholecystectomy was granted a 30 percent rating effective February 23, 2021.,The Veteran's right sciatic radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating effective April 5, 2021.