Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, right arm radiculopathy, left arm radiculopathy, right hand radiculopathy, left hand radiculopathy, a right foot disorder, and a left foot disorder have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses due to lack of emergency treatment and non-feasibility of VA facilities, despite his assertions.

The Veteran's initial rating for a low back disability from January 28, 2009 to September 30, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The Veteran's initial rating for a low back disability from October 1, 2019 was also denied as she did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability, right and left knee DJD with limitation of flexion, and radiculopathy of the LLE prior to September 14, 2017 was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than specific dates have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of specific percentages have also been dismissed.

The Board dismissed all the claims on appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating, and the effective date for service connection of radiculopathy in the left lower extremity (LLE) is set at June 16, 2012.

The Veteran's left leg disability, sciatic nerve damage with L4-L5 and L5-S1 radiculopathy and left foot drop, is rated at 60 percent disabling. The rating for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will need to gather more information and determine if the Veteran is entitled to these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since January 6, 2011. Additionally, his loss of use of both feet due to his service-connected conditions is also recognized.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence and changes in the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity femoral neuritis, and left and right lower extremity sciatic neuritis on the basis that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The compensable evaluation for a right knee scar is denied.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to October 30, 2019 and granted a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for TDIU or DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings for various conditions.

For the period prior to May 18, 2018, the Veteran's TBI was rated at 40 percent and denied a higher rating.,Since May 18, 2018, the Veteran's TBI has been rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and sleep apnea conditions, are found to be causally related to his psychiatric disorder. Effective dates for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a compensable rating for vertigo as a manifestation of TBI. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development.,Specifically, the RO needs to address whether the Veteran currently has a hip disorder and if it is related to her service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain updated VA records of treatment for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities since July 2017.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities was granted initial ratings of 20 percent each from October 31, 2013 to December 9, 2019.