Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board remanded all issues to obtain additional evidence, including VA examinations, for a full and fair adjudication of the Veteran's claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for radiculopathy in both upper extremities was denied. The Board found that the veteran's condition is manifest by mild symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 40 percent disability rating for spine issues and service connection for radiculopathy in both legs.

The veteran's claims for service-connection for right knee strain, left knee joint pain, cervicothoracic syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, was dismissed. An initial 10 percent disability rating for left rib costochondritis was granted. Claims for dermatosis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia were remanded.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, effective from August 25, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and both knee disabilities. However, the claims for nerve pain in the lower extremities and sleep apnea were remanded for further adjudication.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbar strain were denied. The veteran was granted increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy in both the left and right upper extremities.

The Board remanded the case to obtain missing private treatment records and additional medical opinions regarding the veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy conditions.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for L5-S1 degenerative disc disease before February 14, 2024, and a 20% rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The request for a higher rating after February 14, 2024, was denied.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility to Dependents' Education Assistance. The issues related to ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and right humeral fracture residuals were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right and left eye refractive errors. It granted an earlier effective date of September 21, 2017, for a 10 percent increased disability rating for the left wrist but denied further increases. The Board also granted a 70 percent increased disability rating for PTSD from January 22, 2017, to January 22, 2018, but denied further increases. Additionally, it granted a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from July 23, 2024.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities and a compensable rating for a scar from lumbar spine fusion.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral flat foot degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for both left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome and drop foot, effective from May 19, 2021.

The veteran's appeal for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected disabilities was granted. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 10 percent for both left and right radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The decision was based on the lack of objective impairment in strength, sensation, and reflexes.

The veteran's requests for higher ratings for several conditions were denied, but the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder was denied. The veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Several other claims were remanded.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied. However, the veteran was granted a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and lumbosacral strain on and after February 8, 2018.