Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded several other claims, including service connection for various disorders.

The veteran was granted a 70 percent initial rating for somatic symptom disorder, and a 20 percent initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome lumbosacral spine. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, cervical spine disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, myofasciitis, and right and left shin splints based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and impotency/erectile dysfunction, all from March 14, 2014.

The appeal was denied as no new and relevant evidence was received to readjudicate the previously denied claim of service connection for tinnitus, and there is not enough evidence to warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the 40 percent ratings for IVDS and right shoulder disability, as well as additional separate ratings for neuritis and neuralgia of both lower extremity sciatic nerves, all effective October 22, 2018.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, and remanded several other issues including ratings for ankle strains, lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, knee disabilities, chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for cervical strain and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy, effective from February 18, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and a right hand/wrist disorder, but denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, back disorder, sciatic pain in the right leg, sciatic pain in the left leg, and sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE) femoral radiculopathy, and a left elbow disability. However, the claim for erectile dysfunction was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, including left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee tendinopathy, left knee tendinopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and plantar fasciitis in both feet.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 16, 2002, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder strain and tension headaches, denied service connection for sinusitis, and granted initial ratings of 70 percent, but no higher, for depressive disorder, 40 percent, but no higher, for lumbosacral strain, and 20 percent, but no higher, for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from April 1, 2012, as well as TDIU from the same date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board restored the 20 percent ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting femoral and sciatic nerves, denied service connection for GERD and IBS, and remanded the claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection for atrial fibrillation was granted as secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The ratings for the left lower extremity radiculopathies were increased, and some claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but granted a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, but remanded an increased rating claim for a right knee disability.