Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease, as the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than April 30, 2021.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was dismissed, and several other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the issues of increased disability ratings for the back and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to the need for additional development, including a new VA peripheral nerves examination.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy but denied it for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various left elbow conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bowel impairment associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 3, 2012, for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy but denied an earlier effective date for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board also denied increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and certain lower and upper extremity radiculopathies.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability from February 11, 1999, and separate 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the upper left and right extremities from March 26, 2009. The claim for service connection for OSA was denied.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, service connection for bilateral hip conditions, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied increased ratings for several conditions but granted initial 20% evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, femoral nerve, from October 31, 2019, to October 5, 2022, and granted a TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination and additional evidence development to determine if there is a nexus between any lower back disability and the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20% rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2021, and denied a compensable disability rating for right inguinal hernia repair.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression, and increased ratings of 20 percent for right and left ankle tendonitis. The hypertension and tinnitus claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, left knee strain, and thoracolumbar spine disability but granted an effective date of January 13, 2022, for left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy and August 19, 2015, for cluster headaches.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include lumbar and cervical spine disabilities with bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathies.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed due to the Veteran's simultaneous appeals not being permitted under VA regulations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5 lumbar disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, neuropathy to obtain adequate medical opinions.