Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, cervical degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities. A 30 percent rating was also granted for vertigo associated with TBI.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and increased the initial disability rating to 30 percent.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for congestive heart failure with coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy, lumbar spine degenerative joint/disc disease, right lower extremity sciatic nerve condition, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lung disorder, radiculopathy at L4-5, and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain all relevant treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for low back pain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability and a separate 20 percent rating for instability, while denying an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an increased rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD while granting a higher initial disability rating for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, and also granted service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial, gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding a medical nexus with the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 16, 2020, for the awards of service connection for cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied earlier effective dates for other lower extremity conditions.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves of the bilateral lower extremities, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for severe paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve of thigh on November 19, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to June 7, 2024. The appeal was remanded for other issues.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for increased ratings of cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a disability rating of 40 percent for bowel obstruction s/p resections with malabsorption syndrome from short gut prior to June 3, 2022. The claims for earlier effective dates for the evaluations of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as the evidence does not support an earlier date of entitlement.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip tensor fascia lata syndrome, left knee suprapatellar tendinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis.