Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee scar and remanded claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities, as well as a left knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the initial 20 percent and subsequent 40 percent ratings for service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the impacts of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to care for himself and his need for aid and attendance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disorder (claimed as 'lower back with sciatica'), left leg pain (claimed as an artery rupture), and a bilateral ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for certain conditions, but denied an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted service connection for a left knee disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for GERD and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity nerve conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, but remanded an increased rating higher than 20 percent for cervical strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, femoral nerve, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to pre-decisional errors by the AOJ in violation of the duty to assist.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine and paralysis of the sciatic nerves and hips.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, an initial rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and an initial compensable rating for left leg shin splints to afford the Veteran new examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for right knee and back disabilities, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine spondylosis and anterolisthesis with degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis, and IVDS, as well as remanded claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate beginning December 23, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disorder, except granted a 40% rating from January 10, 2019, to January 14, 2024, and a 20% rating for RLE radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy with impairment of the internal saphenous nerve.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected disabilities.