Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a right shoulder disability (major condition), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for left heel spur, left foot disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. A claim for a right foot disability was remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD with alcohol use disorder, found the separate rating assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy to be proper, and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease and lower back strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board granted service connection for left and right upper extremity mononeuritis, peripheral neuropathy and left and right lower extremity mononeuritis, sciatic nerve based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings and service connection of various conditions, granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for the service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a compensable rating for the post-surgical scar on the right great toe.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted an increase in rating for the sciatic nerve condition.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and assigned a 50 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with sacroiliac weakness and degenerative disc disease.

The decision granted earlier effective dates for DEA benefits, TDIU, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ from August 1, 2018, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, ED, left knee degenerative arthritis with synovitis and chondromalacia, and other conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations and entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits before October 13, 2022, due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's request for review.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the Veteran's symptoms are moderately severe and include functional impairment such as limping and an inability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, effective February 14, 2020. The decision also granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and insomnia to provide VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as service treatment records from the Veteran's period of reserve service have not been obtained.

The claims for service connection are remanded to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the July 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient information regarding the baseline severity of his conditions when discounting the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU, granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and granted 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a supplemental opinion to estimate the current severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.