Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The appeal to readjudicate service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, lumbar spine disorder, and left hip disorder was denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran due to his service-connected disabilities that have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use in both lower extremities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, meniscal tear and shin splints, but denied higher ratings for other knee conditions. Service connection was also granted for left knee radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, low back disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of depressive disorder was granted as October 11, 2022, but no earlier. The claims for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 30, 2021, as the Veteran was not shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for left upper extremity (LUE) cervical radiculopathy and dismissed the claims for an earlier effective date of TDIU and DEA.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic radiculopathy to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, with IVDS, and lumbar spondylosis was granted a 20 percent rating from July 13, 2017 to October 17, 2023, but denied for the period from October 18, 2023 to February 19, 2024. The 20 percent rating was restored effective February 20, 2024.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder affecting both lower extremities, to include radiculopathy, as there was no evidence of a current disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right leg radiculopathy from November 15, 2021, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity due to a need for an addendum opinion.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition, but remanded claims for other conditions including neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed for claims related to an effective date prior to November 14, 2016, for the grant of service connection and increased ratings.

The Board remands the claims for an increased evaluation of fibrocystic breast disease and service connection for left and right sciatic nerve pain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 9, 2006 for the award of service connection for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and August 31, 2005 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome; 20 percent initial disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy; and a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.