Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities as new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant a readjudication.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with cervical strain prior to June 20, 2018, and entitlement to compensable ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to January 7, 2016, due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic symptoms leading to the current condition.

The Board denied a higher rating for tinnitus and remanded several other claims related to the veteran's disabilities, including those involving hearing loss, knee radiculopathy, and hip disability.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for right lower extremity femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of both the left and right lower extremities, as the evidence supports moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining outstanding relevant treatment records.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of October 31, 2021 for the award of service connection for hypertension and chronic headaches. The claim for left upper extremity (LUE) radiculopathy was denied an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for left lower radiculopathy, right lower radiculopathy, left elbow strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as there was no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Board granted an effective date of June 13, 2012 for service connection of chronic pain syndrome (left femoral nerve) and denied earlier effective dates for other claims related to chronic pain syndromes.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and denied the claims for service connection for sinusitis, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for urinary frequency, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues related to non-allergic rhinitis, PTSD, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, bilateral pes planus, and fibromyalgia were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a revision of a June 1984 rating decision on the basis that there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board granted restoration of the 40% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, while denying increased ratings for right lower extremity and femoral nerve radiculopathies, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted an effective date of August 10, 2021, for the grant of service connection for right elbow disability and initial ratings of 30 percent and 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy, respectively.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for left hip strain limitation of extension and right hip strain limitation of extension.

The Board remands the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion on the extent that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities affect his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left shoulders, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy were denied.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left sciatic radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.