Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder strain with tendonitis and remanded issues related to service connection for right cervical radiculopathy and recognition of K.W. as a helpless child.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies of the femoral and sciatic nerves.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine), and lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The claims for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied increased ratings for these conditions, and granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity sciatica and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board granted service connection for a left breast mass condition and denied increased ratings for a trunk scar above the right breast and bilateral hearing loss. Several claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 20% disability rating, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, higher ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches.

The Board granted higher initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective March 31, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and denied increased ratings for several disabilities, while granting a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve; right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve; and fecal incontinence, all from May 7, 2012. An increased rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, was also granted effective November 30, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing, a special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The claim of CUE in the September 14, 2017, rating decision was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted an effective date of August 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and March 8, 2023, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities caused and/or materially contributed to his COPD, which was listed as the immediate cause of death.

The Board granted service connection for right hand little finger healed fracture and bilateral foot pes planus, while denying service connection for various other conditions including sinusitis, headaches, and sciatica. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for asthma.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased rating, but granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine strain due to a lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbar disability, denied an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied an increased rating for left foot disorder.