Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board is remanding the claims for a neurological examination to address concerns raised by the Court regarding the October 2020 VA examination report.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, and lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities based on the evidence showing that these conditions began during and have continued since service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal issues, foot problems, ED, hemorrhoids, hernia, hypertension, nerve conditions in the lower extremities, shoulder and thumb issues, except for right ear hearing loss which was granted.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and spinal stenosis but granted the reinstatement of a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic radiculopathy, effective May 3, 2025.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The appeal for service connection for right ankle pain is dismissed as moot, while the appeals for service connection for right and left lower extremity thoracic radiculopathy are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board granted initial 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, but no higher.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy, left thumb injury residuals, bilateral hand tremors, chronic rhinitis (presumptively), and chronic sinusitis.,The Veteran's lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence to support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathies, due to an incomplete record of private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for cervical neck sprain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity clinical lumbar radiculopathy, but remanded service connection claims for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, colon polyps, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a residual scar from cervical fusion on the basis of disfigurement and granted an initial 10 percent rating based on pain. The Board also denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with spinal fusion and stenosis, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for both the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, as the Veteran's conditions were found to be moderate incomplete paralysis.

The appeals for the proposed reduction of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and the proposed later effective dates for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies were dismissed as the November 2024 rating decision was not a finalized decision that can be appealed.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, as the evidence demonstrated she was unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence supports moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating of left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and a separate rating for bilateral restless leg syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supported a moderate incomplete paralysis rating.