Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability but granted service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and granted restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, higher ratings, and other benefits due to deficiencies in the evidence of record.

The Board restored the 70% rating for PTSD and the 40% rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the reductions were not proper.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to an incomplete record, specifically missing treatment records from the Veteran's primary care physician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, TMJ, cervical strain, and others, to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the April 2024 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the left wrist scar but remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, dysphagia, and a back condition but dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left foot disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 1, 2024, and remanded the claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a left elbow condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities prior to April 22, 2023.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy to ensure a new VA examination and medical opinion that adequately evaluates the nature and severity of the disability, considering the ameliorative effects of pain medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into a VR&E program for additional education to prepare for suitable employment in healthcare or finance, as he was found not to have an employment handicap.

The Board restored the 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the reduction was improper. The other issues were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, and a respiratory condition. The claims for fibromyalgia, numbness in the left arm, numbness in the right arm, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, and headache condition were remanded for further development.

The Board found that the reductions in ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were improper and void ab initio. The 20 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are restored, effective January 6, 2023.

The appeal for service connection of multiple conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for a retrospective opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve prior to April 7, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the evaluations of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and tension headaches.