Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the severance of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a back scar, as well as the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's back disability. The issues are no longer on appeal because the full benefit sought was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for mechanical low back pain and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board needs to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA nerve examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left clavicle fracture was denied. The claim for service connection for a back condition was dismissed because it was already granted. The claim for service connection for radiculopathy was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran was granted a 20% rating for back disability from February 16, 2012 to January 14, 2020 and a 40% rating beginning January 15, 2020. The veteran was also granted a 20% rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to January 15, 2020. The veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 15, 2020 and SMC(l) beginning September 28, 2018.

The veteran's service connection claim for cervical strain, spondylosis, cervical degenerative joint disease, and bilateral cervical radiculopathy C5-C6 was granted. The Board found that the veteran has a current neck disability with an onset in service.

The veteran's increased rating for cervical radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome was granted from July 14, 2022. The right upper extremity received a 40% rating and the left upper extremity received a 30% rating.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Other claims, including gastrointestinal disability, headaches, lower back disability, sciatica, and TDIU, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than February 18, 2022, for service connection of both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted the appeal concerning the timeliness of the May 2023 VA Form 10182 Board Appeal/NOD.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 10 percent for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing moderate incomplete paralysis.

The veteran was granted a 60% rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity but denied higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine scar, and right-hand scar. The issue of a higher rating for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was denied. All other issues were remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a low back disability and radiculopathy in the right lower extremity has been remanded. The Board needs more medical records to make a decision.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several conditions but granted an earlier effective date for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. Some issues were remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 40 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms or incapacitating episodes.

The Board remanded all issues to correct errors in obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records.

Service connection for left knee disability and lumbar degenerative disc disease is granted. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as sciatica) is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 10% for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence showed symptoms more closely aligned with mild incomplete paralysis.

The veteran is granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to June 4, 2020, for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and right rotator cuff strain are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy because the conditions did not have onset in service and are not directly related to service.