Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied an effective date earlier than October 15, 2020 for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a broken chain of continuous pursuit.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability and for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and back scar. The claims for asbestosis and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for spondylolisthesis and left lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain an adequate examination that specifically addresses the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board dismissed the motion to revise or reverse on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for multiple issues regarding service connection, as the Veteran did not plead CUE with sufficient particularity.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative arthritis of neck, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in reliance on an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain and bilateral sciatic radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to assist in obtaining relevant non-VA medical records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of current disabilities or symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial 10 percent disability rating for service-connected psychomotor epilepsy and denied increased, compensable ratings for a scar on the right forehead and service connection claims for sciatic nerve conditions in both lower extremities.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, granted TDIU from January 8, 2020 to June 19, 2022, and granted DEA benefits effective the same date.

The Board denied the motion to revise a January 2009 rating decision that awarded service connection for right leg radiculopathy effective June 4, 2003, on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for unspecified trauma or stressor-related disorder and awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, while dismissing appeals related to left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The appeal for service connection for a degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disorder is dismissed as it has been fully granted. The claims for service connection for a degenerative disc disease, cervical disorder, cervical and ulnar neuropathy LUE radiculopathy, and an URI are remanded for readjudication.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a lumbar spine disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of January 16, 2018, for the awards of service connection and subsequently assigned ratings for left ankle, right lower extremity, and right hip disabilities, as well as a 20 percent rating for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and denied an increased rating for cervical spondylosis with cord compression, while remanding a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation at any point during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability manifested by pain and functional impairment, as well as lumbar radiculopathy affecting the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left foot fracture, status post bone spur surgery.