Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and PTSD. It dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for ratings of hemorrhoids, lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied higher ratings for these conditions and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy in the external cutaneous nerve because there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD).

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral small fiber neuropathy was withdrawn. The claims for higher evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for a right hand scar and an initial 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied. All other claims were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for a 20% disability rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted. Other issues, including higher ratings and TDIU, were remanded.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for IBS and a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy disability rating was restored to 20 percent. Other claims were denied or dismissed.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating of right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The VA needs to schedule an examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date was granted for right upper extremity radiculopathy but denied for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board remanded all claims for higher ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain relevant community care records.

The veteran's service-connected radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent from January 6, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The evidence did not show moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied higher ratings for PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left calf shrapnel wound. It also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for respiratory disorder, skin disorder, and eye disorder were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for several conditions. It remanded the claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids with skin tag and cervical strain.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

The veteran's rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to 20 percent. The veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 12, 2022, for service connection of several conditions. The earliest effective date allowed by law is November 12, 2022.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for a headache disability. Other issues related to ratings and service connections were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for separate and compensable ratings for various conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an earlier effective date of August 10, 2018, for service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The issue of an effective date earlier than October 9, 2019, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.