Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board found that the reduction of ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee arthritis with limited painful extension, and left knee limitation of flexion was proper. The Veteran's overall combined rating has not changed.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 22, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 23, 2017. The effective dates for the awards of ratings were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and right shoulder condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back, left knee, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain a vocational opinion considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues on appeal include left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from August 6, 2019.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent, the left upper extremity radiculopathy at 20 percent, the lumbar spine disability with IVDS at 20 percent, and the right lower extremity radiculopathy from June 3, 2022, at 20 percent. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted earlier.

The Veteran's neck disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted. The Veteran's neck disability is service connected as a result of new evidence submitted since her last denial in 2017.

The Veteran's claim for urinary stress incontinence is granted as the condition started during service and continues today.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is denied as there is no evidence that it is related to her service-connected cholecystectomy.,The Veteran's claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for tonsillectomy remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and a headache disorder due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has dismissed all claims for higher ratings for restless leg syndrome and hand tremors as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's lumbago, status post-surgery without unfitting radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 23, 2018, and for TDIU and DEA were denied. The rating reductions for LUE and RLE radiculopathy were granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the low back disability). The decision is based on the Veteran's lay testimony regarding the onset of his symptoms during active service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU from April 1, 2007, to December 1, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left knee replacement, right foot drop, and bilateral knee disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations.