Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left arm radiculopathy and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and left hand have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records, provide appropriate etiology opinions, and give the Veteran another opportunity to submit information or evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has found no evidence of a current disability in the cases involving left elbow synovial cyst, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. For dry eye syndrome (left eye), the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against an increased rating.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been granted a 50% rating, effective from the date of the decision.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has been granted for the period from July 26, 2016 to August 29, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective December 18, 2019. The claim for a higher rating prior to this date remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's left low back disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative spondylolisthesis, central canal spinal stenosis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence received since the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to October 28, 2008 for the grant of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date was set at October 28, 2008 based on the claim for an increased rating for back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left leg numbness, but finds that further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 10% prior to November 23, 2015 and 20% beginning that date. RLE radiculopathy is rated at 10% prior to November 23, 2015 and 20% beginning that date. LLE radiculopathy has not been service connected.

The Veteran's disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to 20 percent effective July 1, 2015. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy has been dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues related to his back condition and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of spine with spondylolisthesis and left leg disability manifested by motor weakness, foot drop, and radiculopathy on a causation basis. The case is remanded for further action regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is rated at 40 percent effective December 28, 2011. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent from December 28, 2011 to February 2, 2020 and then at 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease with strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sinusitis due to inadequate examination reports. The asthma claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of sciatica or asthma, and the Veteran does not meet criteria for increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, a neurological disability of the right elbow (right cubital tunnel syndrome), and a cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy. The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for a bilateral vision disability, COPD, hypertension, and for a disability manifested by insomnia.,Service connection was also denied for a seizure disorder, a right shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, varicose veins, and for a gastrointestinal disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder injury.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2019. The right knee strain and left knee strain remain rated at 10 percent.