Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with sciatica, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and active or reserve duty service.

The Board remanded the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers because the initial VA decision was conclusory and based on an incorrect interpretation of regulatory requirements for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction.' A new medical opinion must be obtained that properly applies the correct statutory criteria and addresses how the Veteran's diagnoses affect daily functioning.

The Board denied initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence showed mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for further development and adjudicative action, including providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional RO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, and low back disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of various conditions based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1995 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for migraines, cervical spinal stenosis, a scar on neck, and right ankle disability, as well as increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board granted restoration of the 30% rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, and cervical strain, as well as the 30% and 40% ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, respectively. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was denied.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from October 8, 2019, but his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied a rating more than 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and granted an effective date of April 12, 2022, for service connection for radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a right wrist disability, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after his military service. The claims for other disabilities were remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and higher initial evaluations for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, actinic keratoses, plantar fasciitis, basal cell carcinoma, and various musculoskeletal issues.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, while remanding the claims for low back, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU, but denied other claims related to earlier effective dates and burial expenses.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities from September 20, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy/radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and sleep apnea, as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for urinary dysfunction with frequency and nocturia as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with CPAP, and an evaluation of 20 percent was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain from April 9, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, right/left lung apical and basilar pulmonary fibrosis (under the PACT Act), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).