Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The case is remanded for a DRO hearing and further development of the claims.

The Board remands the claims for an increase in disability evaluation and a separate evaluation for lumbar radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment from May 7, 2007 through October 7, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, remanded the claims for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) for further development.

The Board is remanding the case to request clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment status at Amazon in March 2020, as it may impact the determination of a TDIU prior to June 2020.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for a neck disability, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression and mood disorder (PTSD) for further development.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, as the earliest possible date under applicable law is October 24, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining the qualifications of the VA examiner and readjudicating the claims.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral strain (back pain) based on new evidence, while denying increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder and tinnitus. The Board also remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right leg peripheral neuropathy, gastritis, and right side sciatic nerve pain as secondary to lumbosacral strain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and effective dates of June 23, 2021, for the award of service connection for right lower radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and an earlier effective date for the grant of basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the disability had improved to mild incomplete paralysis from January 11, 2022.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, while denying service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and a bladder condition. The Board also granted ratings in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the right knee from March 16, 2021, and separate 20 percent ratings for meniscus conditions of both knees.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of May 19, 2022 for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies, but denied earlier effective dates for right and left knee disabilities. A 10 percent rating was also granted for the removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, except for a 80 percent rating for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy and 20 percent ratings for right lower radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve, both effective from June 1, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for chronic migraines but denied service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.