Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 25, 2021, due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal for increased ratings and proposed decreases in evaluations for the back and lower extremity radiculopathies were denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, left and right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the legs, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence supporting a current disability related to or aggravated by service.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome with cervical radiculopathy and cubital tunnel syndrome, effective September 23, 2009.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, prior to June 21, 2019; and a rating in excess of 40 percent, effective June 21, 2019. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were remanded.

The appeal of the grant of service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. � 17 for contusion of penis, lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower lumbar damage/injury), radiculopathy, left lower extremity, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for lumbar radiculopathy due to errors in the prior decision.

The Board denied a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) prior to April 17, 2012, and remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) prior to April 17, 2012, as well as the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied service connection for cervical neck disability, bilateral hand nerve condition, chronic tinea pedis, left knee disability, and an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective June 20, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for cardiac arrhythmia, CFS, a right ankle disability, a right knee disability, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right sciatica with an effective date of August 17, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates for prostate disorder and GERD, as well as service connection for diabetes with diabetic neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 USC 1318 as the criteria were not met, and remanded the service connection for cause of death due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right and left shoulder and knee joint pain, a sciatic nerve disability, and an earlier effective date for non-allergic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis and deviated septum. The claims for right and left ankle joint pain were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an initial disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 4, 2019, for the 20 percent rating of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection for radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date, increased rating, and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the onset of upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical strain, denied service connection for alcohol use disorder, and remanded the claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral dry eye condition status post PKR surgery/LASIK with meibomian gland dysfunction, and granted service connection for chest pain. The Board also granted a 40 percent disability rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis from May 17, 2022.