Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and urinary incontinence, all as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for right hip arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica as secondary to the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee instability due to inadequate examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and urinary dysfunction as they are not related to the Veteran's active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for coronary artery disease, back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy to request an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for a lumbar spine disability prior to December 18, 2006.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for radiculopathy, sciatica dysfunction left and right lower extremities, and sacroiliac dysfunction/degenerative joint disease based on new evidence. The claims for service connection for radiculopathy, sciatica dysfunction left and right lower extremities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and back with associated radiculopathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy based on clear and unmistakable error in prior rating decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for right thumb, back, deviated septum, and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Board denied the claims for initial compensable disability ratings for right upper extremity and posterior trunk scars, but remanded the claims for increased initial disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and initial compensable disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as well as service connection for a bilateral hand and finger condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbosacral strain and radiculopathies in both hips and legs.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection and effective date claims due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of November 1, 2021, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The other claims were denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the earliest date of entitlement was May 17, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety condition and remanded the claims for sciatica and herniated disc evaluation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, left leg radiculopathy, left arm radiculopathy, and right arm radiculopathy to correct a duty to assist error.