Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of depressive disorder and erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted, with a finding that it was related to service exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied due to his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional information from a VA examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), right hip disability, left hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of credible evidence of a current disability.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves as of September 13, 2019. The effective date was set based on the Veteran's credible statements and medical records showing bilateral leg pain prior to his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, COPD, migraines, a back disability, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy, and fibromyalgia have been dismissed. The claim for signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy is remanded due to a need for updated toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memo and VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 14, 2016 for the service connection of right upper extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected neck condition and lumbosacral strain, respectively.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), lumbosacral strain with associated radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. Attorney fees are eligible from past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis is granted, effective May 20, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new examination is needed to evaluate the nature and severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tremors, migraines, facet arthropathy (claimed as back pain), sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve pain of the right lower extremity. Service connection for breathing problems, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions include tremors, migraines, facet arthropathy (claimed as back pain), sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve pain of the right lower extremity. Service connection for breathing problems, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle arthritis, left foot nerve damage and numbness, and right ankle sciatica nerve pain due to inadequate opinions in the February 2025 VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating. However, his right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and residual scars status post lumbar laminectomy as the earliest effective dates are August 6, 2020, based on receipt of a VA 21-2680 Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance.