Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for both the thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain, with degenerative disc disease L4-L5 and L5-S1.

The Board granted service connection for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, an increased rating of 30 percent for cervical strain, and increased ratings of 20 to 30 percent for various tendinopathies and migraine headaches.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve (RLE radiculopathy), effective October 19, 2022, but denied a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to unresolved contradictory examination results.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as they were granted in a prior rating decision, making further appeal moot. The remaining issues are remanded to correct pre-decisional errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and a left arm disorder, to include radiculopathy, due to an inadequate duty to assist error.

The appeals for proposed reductions in the evaluations of sinusitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed as there was no question of law or fact on appeal.

The Board granted initial ratings of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, 60 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, status post spinal fusion, and 40 percent for radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The claim for a compensable rating for scar on back was denied, and TDIU was granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with acute sinusitis and an initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, while the claims for arthritis and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain were remanded.

The appeal was dismissed as the issues have been previously adjudicated by the Board in the Legacy appeals docket.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for right and left knee strain and tinnitus, as well as ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's depression.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, severe alcohol use disorder and moderate cocaine use disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST), and granted increased ratings for certain service-connected disabilities. The claim for dizziness was dismissed, as was the entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for a single right leg scar and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and denied a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.