Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew her appeal and hearing request for increased ratings of persistent depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The July 2024 rating decision granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The past-due benefits awarded are contested.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral foot condition, bilateral knee condition, and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his service. The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are granted effective May 12, 2025. The decision is based on the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendering him unemployable as of that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Effective dates for SMC will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess her current and retrospective severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for service-connected insomnia is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's LLE and RLE disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities due to conflicting information in the VA-contracted examination report, which requires clarification on the current severity of the service-connected disabilities without considering diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is not service-connected for diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran's sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's right and left sciatic radiculopathy were granted effective from March 17, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected RUE brachial plexus injury and lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve should be rated higher than their current noncompensable (0 percent) ratings.

The Board granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD and awarded special monthly compensation, as well as service connection for bowel disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and back disability. The decision also addressed the Veteran's request for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to her back disability was granted with effective dates of January 4, 2024.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to right and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis has been dismissed.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for left-sided shin splints and right-sided shin splints.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 1, 2022 for service connection for various radiculopathy conditions and awarded an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral severe degenerative disc disease at L3-L4.