Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The appeal as to the proposed reduction of the rating for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, mild disc bulge with moderate central disc protrusion L5-S1 is dismissed due to procedural issues. The claim for a higher rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, is remanded.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain effective June 1, 2024, while denying ratings in excess of 20% and initial disability ratings in excess of 10% for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbar spasms, IVDS, bulging disc, and spondylolisthesis.

The Veteran's service connection for left neck scar was granted, while the claims for left sciatic radicular pain, hypoesthesia, paresthesia of the left lower extremity, right ankle pain, and right wrist and hand pain were denied.

The Board granted service connection for dyspnea as a sign or symptom of an undiagnosed illness involving the respiratory system and denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis. Several other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and denied an earlier effective date for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right leg radiculopathy as associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a left knee condition, but denied service connection for a right knee condition. The Board also granted an initial 50 percent rating for migraines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a current disability or sufficient link to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 6, 2023. The reduction in the evaluation of right lower extremity radiculopathy from 10 percent to noncompensable effective December 6, 2023 was upheld.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, to schedule a VA examination.

The Board remands all claims for a VA examination to determine the relationship between each claimed disability and service or another service-connected condition.

The Board granted an effective date of April 24, 2007, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain but denied earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and remanded other issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain and denied service connection for hearing loss, while remanding claims for migraine headaches and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a 40 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increased rating for the chronic right ankle sprain with peroneus brevis tendon split tear.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board granted the appeal to restore a 40 percent evaluation for radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and overactive bladder. The claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left CTS, and a bilateral eye condition were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for further development and examination to address the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS status post spinal fusion, as well as his left and right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.