Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for tension and cluster headaches, a rating of 50 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity effective May 7, 2024, and denied higher ratings for CTS and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board granted an increased 30 percent rating for tension migraine from February 6, 2024, to March 13, 2024, and a 50 percent rating for sleep apnea. It denied all other claims.

The appeal of the proposed decrease in evaluations for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to procedural errors.

The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings and denied a compensable rating for right shoulder scars, while remanding several other issues including service connection for a right hand disorder.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied because the appeal was not timely filed.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated conditions, as well as entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities were contributory causes of his death.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the right lower extremity sciatica and denied higher ratings for both left and right lower extremities, as well as service connection for incomplete paralysis of the right external popliteal nerve and TDIU.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 14, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 28, 2015.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities from May 1, 2021.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but denied for housebound status.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, circumcision scar, urinary tract condition (including residuals of gonorrhea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and BPH), degenerative disc disease, and left leg condition (including radiculopathy). The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis and denied service connection for sinusitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for mechanical back pain syndrome.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that the Veteran's symptoms best approximate moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 14, 2014, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy but denied an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for extensions of time to file appeals related to several claims, including right shoulder disorder, left-hand finger disorder, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for migraines and service connection for sciatica due to inadequate examinations.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, right ankle tendonitis, scoliosis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine disability, and higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy to allow VA to obtain additional private medical records.