Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected sinusitis for the entire appellate period prior to April 5, 2021, and denied an increased rating for the lumbar spine disorder. The other claims were remanded.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee instability prior to July 23, 2024, and denied a higher rating from that date. The decision also remanded several other claims related to lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board granted a 70 percent initial evaluation for PTSD and a 60 percent evaluation for right lower extremity sciatica, while denying an increased evaluation for valvular heart disease prior to December 11, 2021.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded other claims including TDIU and DEA eligibility.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and neck scar due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from December 16, 2023, to present, but denied increased ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine disability, granted a 10 percent rating from May 25, 2022 to May 25, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 25, 2023. The Board also remanded claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision, as it pertains to awards of higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral hallux valgus. The appeal was denied with respect to service connection for bilateral lower sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and a 50 percent rating for the right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis combined with left foot plantar fasciitis from December 10, 2016.

The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for radiculopathy of sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and a right shoulder condition due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board remands the claim for a right lower extremity nerve condition, to include on a secondary basis, due to an inadequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for right and left thigh pain, right and left ankle pain, lumbosacral strain, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lymphedema of the lower extremities. The claim for service connection for right sciatica pain was remanded.

The Board remands the case for an aid and attendance examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The appeal seeking restoration of a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatica was dismissed due to untimeliness, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatica was denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy prior to September 27, 2024, due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, as the severity of his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or shortly after service.