Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for spinal fusion and prior to November 2, 2023, granted ratings of 40%, 60%, and 30% for left lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lumbar radiculopathy of the femoral nerve respectively. For periods after November 2, 2023, it denied ratings in excess of 20% for all conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to address the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy during a specific period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability or a link to service.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was dismissed as it was not a final decision. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for a left hip disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right ankle fracture and a rating in excess of 60 percent for the service-connected heart condition. The Board also denied a compensable disability rating for residual scar of the anterior trunk mid sternum status post coronary artery bypass graft.

The appeal for service connection for elevated blood pressure and right lower extremity radiculopathy was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, neck condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral flatfoot, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right ankle pain, as the current evidence is inadequate to make a decision.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, from April 4, 2022, to July 13, 2025, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the disabilities, and no evidence that the disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The appeal is dismissed due to res judicata, as the issues were previously adjudicated and are now barred from further review.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an automobile allowance was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board also denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as there was no diagnosis of such a disability during the period on appeal.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and strain of the thoracolumbar spine, a 20 percent rating for femoral radiculopathy, but denied any higher ratings for sciatic radiculopathy. Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate was also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for right ankle range-of-motion loss, secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain status post laminectomy and microdiscectomy, was granted. An earlier effective date of March 1, 2016, but no earlier, for the 20 percent rating assigned for lumbar strain status post laminectomy and microdiscectomy was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 3, 2021, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claim for an effective date prior to July 26, 2022, for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.