Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as there was no increase in the disabilities within one year prior to June 8, 2021.,The Veteran did not file a claim of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity associated with a thoracolumbar spine disability prior to June 8, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding that it is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of August 15, 2008 for both TDIU and DEA benefits due to service-connected disabilities including lumbar spinal degeneration, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve were rated at 20 percent each, effective April 10, 2018. The Board found that these conditions did not warrant higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and increased disability rating of 40 percent for spondylolisthesis L5-S1 are denied. The claim for TDIU before November 17, 2020 is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as a higher rating for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and traumatic brain injury with migraines.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the AOJ granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities in a February 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than February 5, 2019 for a separate 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve. The evidence did not establish that the condition arose prior to this date.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the January 2021 rating decision was not an initial decision under the AMA and thus, the issue remained pending in the legacy system.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, upper extremity disability (chronic joint pain, DDD, DJD), lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain), plantar fasciitis, sciatica, and insomnia have not been found to be service-connected.,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions during or recent to the pendency of his claims.

The appeal regarding entitlement to higher disability ratings for callosities and right knee laxity is dismissed.,Effective dates prior to February 1, 2008 for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, requires a TDIU from November 1, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue due to conflicting evidence regarding her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, degenerative disc disease and stenosis, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right external cutaneous thigh nerves is rated at 10 percent each, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 40% and 20%, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lower back disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the increased 40 percent rating for lower back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted, with the effective date set at July 31, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of erectile dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with Tarlov's cyst, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to inadequate prior examinations.