Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates from December 3, 2020, to October 7, 2024.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain is rated at 40 percent, effective June 24, 2024. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on all issues related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date possible was March 30, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for clothing allowances for a left knee brace and topical medication, diclofenac was denied as the evidence did not support service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted service connection effective October 25, 2018.,PTSD was also granted service connection effective July 10, 2007. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for PTSD, but this was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC(t) prior to October 16, 2024 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a need for higher level aid and attendance before this date.,For the earlier effective dates of service connection for erectile dysfunction and grant of SMC(k), the claim was also denied as there was no factual basis to establish entitlement prior to April 27, 2022.

The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy is granted a 20% disability rating effective June 18, 2015. The LLE radiculopathy remains at a 10% disability rating. Effective June 18, 2015, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and associated right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's low back disability with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are both currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from April 6, 2020. The appeals for permanent ratings of low back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities were also denied.

Service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathies is restored effective November 1, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals, including the ones for increased ratings of degenerative disk disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 60 percent rating for his service-connected right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is denied.,An initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from February 25, 2016, to February 6, 2024, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for enrollment in the PCAFC program due to his need for personal care services and supervision based on his medical conditions, including cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but her other claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence related to the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been received since the May 2023 rating decision. The claims of increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right shoulder arthralgia, right knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, left knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, and entitlement to a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee arthralgia based on limitation of extension from October 28, 2024 to February 25, 2025 are remanded.