Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathy have been rated as 20 percent disabling since August 5, 2020. The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lower back pain, left and right lower extremity sciatica due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran was not provided with an addendum opinion reconciling his in-service injury with post-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the awards of an increased rating and service connection is dismissed as freestanding claims that cannot be addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating increases in multiple disabilities, including chronic fatigue syndrome, radiculopathies, refractive error, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower leg sciatic radicular pain, right ankle, right hip, and bilateral knee conditions. The claims were denied for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a diagnosis for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating and service connection were dismissed. The reduction in the disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from 20 percent to 10 percent was found to be void ab initio, and the prior 20 percent rating is reinstated.

The Board dismissed the appeal for attorney fees because the appellant withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in the VA examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the initial decisions granting these conditions were already granted in prior rating decisions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and the issue of a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve. The reasons are that there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the March 2025 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 24, 2023 for the establishment of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of continuous pursuit within one year following the denial in December 2021 and because no complete claim was received before the Supplemental Claim on July 24, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in various lower extremity radiculopathy conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.