Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but his claim for a higher rating for GAD was denied.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 4, 2016, and a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to January 2, 2015. The claims for higher ratings were denied in other periods.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, but no higher, for the appellate period prior to June 27, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral hip disability, and radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, granted a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity effective December 18, 2020, and granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to July 15, 2020, but denied a compensable rating from July 15, 2020, for helicobacter pylori.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent disabling for both the left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective August 23, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of proper notification and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, but denied higher ratings for left ear hearing loss and service connections for radiculopathy of both upper extremities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and TDIU, while dismissing the appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that May 19, 2021, was the earliest possible effective date.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and granted higher ratings for the low back disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, but denied service connection and higher ratings for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, GERD, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and IVDS, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia and strain, and radiculopathy left lower extremity from June 20, 2023.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection, rating increase, and reduction in rating, and the Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus.

The appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied, while the claims for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis lower back with degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Veteran was granted SMC based on aid and attendance, but denied SMC based on housebound status. The Veteran's specially adapted housing claim was also granted, while his claims for a special home adaptation grant and an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right-ear hearing loss and an initial compensable disability evaluation for left-ear hearing loss, and remanded the claim for a lumbar-spine disorder.

The Board remands all service connection issues and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development.