Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted separate ratings of 10 percent for neuralgia of the left sciatic nerve and right femoral nerve, but denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy. The Board also remanded a claim for service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and remanded the claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back and lower extremity disabilities, but granted a TDIU from October 1, 2022.

The Board granted eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a May 2023 rating decision granting service connection for a neck disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied such eligibility for right and left shoulder disorders as well as right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of entitlement to an earlier date than those assigned by the RO.

The Board granted restoration of a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus and denied increased ratings for left knee arthritis, right knee strain, varicocele, lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Erectile dysfunction was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for PTSD, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and low back strain with IVDS.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain and related conditions was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the filing.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine (back) disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and a compensable initial evaluation for a right ear hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, left knee disability, GERD, and erectile dysfunction were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased rating, but remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for neck disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the restoration of a 20% disability rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve but granted a 10% disability rating effective August 22, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular requirements for a TDIU since February 9, 2015, and an effective date of that date is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities but granted a 10 percent rating for a painful scar of the mid back and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted ratings of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, while denying higher ratings for sleep apnea with COPD and chronic headaches. TDIU was granted based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The veteran withdrew all appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review them.

The Veteran was granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. An effective date of January 19, 2013, was also granted for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating and service connection, but remanded certain issues for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date, as well as a TDIU claim, due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.