Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome, lumbar sprain, facet joint arthropathy, degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with an effective date of March 15, 2013. The Board also found a higher disability rating of 40 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records relevant to his lumbar spine disability and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic) is secondary to his service-connected low back disability, granted prior to July 23, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right hand arthritis, migraines, and GERD are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's memory loss disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted, effective November 8, 2018. The initial evaluation of the disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected back and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were denied. The rating for DDD other than IVDS, status post micro discectomy at L5-S1 was not granted as it did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine. Ratings for RLE radiculopathy affecting the femoral and sciatic nerves were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran requires assistance with eating, dressing, hygiene needs, medication management, housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability with bilateral lower extremity sciatica, as well as service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right hips.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during service and persistence since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of adequate medical examination and treatment records, particularly regarding nerve conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left arm, upper back, and right leg nerve damage and pain, as well as an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. Rescheduled VA examinations will be conducted to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claims by the appellant through their attorney.

The Veteran's back and right knee disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathies, are granted service connection. A TDIU is also granted from August 10, 2022.

The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for gastritis is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Board also found remanded the issue of service connection for cervical strain.

The Board has granted the restoration of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), effective May 1, 2020. The decision was made due to procedural errors in the previous termination decisions.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for various conditions, including bilateral knee replacements and radiculopathies. The reduction of the 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.