Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence showed mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to May 24, 2016; denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 24, 2016, to April 17, 2018, and granted a 40 percent rating as of April 17, 2018. For the lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 27, 2015; denied a rating in excess of 40 percent from October 27, 2015, to May 24, 2016, and granted a 40 percent rating from May 24, 2016, to November 26, 2018. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of July 15, 2015.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and neuralgia, resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left ankle condition, a lower back condition, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as they require further development.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of lumbar microdiscectomy, right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE) lumbar radiculopathy. The claims for other conditions were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The claims for a thoracic spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral tinea pedis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and residuals of buttocks surgery were denied.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective dates, as well as rating increases, due to procedural defects in the filing of his appeal.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion on the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

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

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical degenerative anterolisthesis of C4-C5, cervical spondylosis at C5-C6, post cervical fusion, and left and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate nexus opinion.

The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the right foot under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k).

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for right shoulder disability and denied increased ratings for various knee disabilities, radiculopathy, GERD, and MDD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including abnormal PSA, cerebral vascular accident, diabetes mellitus Type II, hypertension, iron deficiency anemia, peripheral arterial disease, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left leg sciatic radicular pain, as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and denied service connection for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, but denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for various disabilities including back, lower extremity radiculopathy, knee, facial scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted service connection for peptic ulcer disease and pelvic congestion syndrome, and assigned initial ratings of 70%, 30%, 60%, 30%, 40%, and 10% for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dermatitis, migraines, lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy respectively. The Board remanded the claim of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for costochondritis.

The appeals for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were dismissed as there was no case or controversy, and the Board lacks authority to further consider these matters.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and sinusitis, and increased the ratings for a left knee disability to 20 percent, a back disability (lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease) to 40 percent, and a right shoulder disability to 40 percent.