Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, left and right hip disabilities, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The decision also denied earlier effective dates for various disability ratings and claims.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded certain claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) prior to February 28, 2018, and greater than 40 percent thereafter, and for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right leg lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the appeal for readjudication due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his cervical spine disability and upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the case for further development to ensure compliance with prior directives and obtain a retrospective opinion on the severity and progression of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radicular group nerves impairment was granted a disability rating of 40 percent prior to August 18, 2022, and 70 percent from that date. The claims for increased ratings for the left lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities as they are inextricably intertwined with a previously remanded claim for lumbar spine strain and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for higher ratings and additional service connection.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure an adequate VA examination is conducted.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar disorder and other conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine. The respiratory complaints claim was remanded.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tenosynovitis of the thoracic spine, but denied a compensable rating for post herpetic neuralgia with neuritis of the left chest wall. The Board also denied effective dates prior to July 18, 2023, for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for anterior L1 compression fracture effective November 16, 2020, and an initial increased disability rating of 20 percent for left leg sciatic radiculopathy throughout the period on appeal.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted an initial increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for a low back disability and earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lower back pain and sciatica to correct a duty to assist error, as an adequate medical opinion was not obtained prior to the rating decision.