Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's low back condition and right lower extremity condition but denied it for the left lower extremity condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and conditions related to PTSD, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral shin splints, have warranted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the l 12 rate from April 13, 2018.

The Board granted restoration of the prior 20 percent rating for a lumbar disability, which was decreased to 10 percent effective August 16, 2023. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left foot plantar fasciitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for left and right ankle, left and right knee, and back disabilities based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 9, 2024, and denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to the same date. The claim for entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, as secondary to the lumbar spine condition. It also granted earlier effective dates for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board granted an effective date of April 14, 2021 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches but denied earlier effective dates for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and a higher rating for low back disability.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and denied an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee tendinitis and patella femoral pain syndrome, as well as compensable ratings for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hearing loss and left eyebrow laceration, remanded an effective date prior to April 23, 2018, for the award of service connection for left femoral nerve radiculopathy, and considered other issues including service connection for a neck disability (secondary) and ratings for various conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and various ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ulnar tunnel syndrome. However, a 20 percent rating was granted for the left ulnar tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted the restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and denied an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left side sciatica was granted, and several issues were remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a compensable rating for asbestosis.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as no formal claim was filed within one year of the denial in 2018 or 2021.

The Board granted service connection for dry eyes and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine strain with arthritis, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, and dismissed a freestanding earlier effective date claim for tinnitus. The Board remanded service connection for urinary frequency/incontinence.