Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied higher ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, hemorrhoids, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine multilevel spondylosis with mild canal narrowing at C3-4 through C5-6, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain and tendinitis, left shoulder tendinitis and tendinosis, as well as secondary radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve and femoral nerve, effective February 12, 2019. The service connection claim for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for left ankle pain, right ankle pain, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, while the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and both lower extremity radiculopathies are denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back condition and right knee condition were granted ratings of 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from December 1, 2023. The other conditions for which increased ratings were sought were denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and denied increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee DJD limitation of flexion, left shoulder arthritis, and other issues. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and separate 20 percent ratings for right knee instability and right knee DJD limitation of extension.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 100 percent, while other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, right elbow condition, left arm radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome, all of which are presumed related to exposure to fine particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied an effective date prior to February 10, 2021, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with alcohol and cannabis use disorders, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for initial evaluations greater than 10 percent for the specified radiculopathies, and the Board dismissed all claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several other issues, including a claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, and a nerve disorder other than service-connected bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for left great toe gout and a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, while the appeals for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and migraine headaches were denied. The appeal for an earlier effective date for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DEA benefits were dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 9, 2020 for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding flare-ups and medication effects.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and nerve disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of October 26, 2011, for the award of service connection for a low back condition. The claims for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.