Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine degenerative arthritis have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in July 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete Tri-Care records and the need to consider new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip condition and a right ankle condition, but has remanded the issue of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a current medical examination for the Veteran's lumbar strain. The claim is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of the severity of the condition, including any associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to these benefits prior to July 2, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy, both on the basis of direct service connection.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and respiratory condition (sleep apnea), but these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connection was established based on a diagnosed condition and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,Service connection for low back disability is granted, with the diagnosis being intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region (low back disability).,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his now service-connected low back disability is granted. The link between the two conditions was established by medical evidence.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, manifested as head pain, memory impairment, loss of balance, and dizziness, is granted based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's right foot disability does not meet service connection criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for SMC as his disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others.

The Board dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of 20% disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy and denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for CAD. The Veteran's CAD is now rated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal regarding proposed reductions in disability ratings for his service-connected back and leg conditions has been dismissed. The appeals were premature as the rating decisions did not contain final, binding agency action.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to June 9, 2023, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, both sciatic and femoral nerves, is rated at 20 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding the evidence demonstrated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that his death was not caused by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for asthma, low back injury (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), neck disability, headache disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, LLER, RLER, and allergic rhinitis are denied. The VA has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD, bulimia, and GERD claims are remanded. Service connection for acute sinusitis (claimed as chronic sinusitis), lumbar spine pain, left lower extremity sciatic radicular pain & paresthesia, and right lower extremity sciatic radicular pain & paresthesia is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle plantar fascia calcaneus spur, bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received after the July 2015 denial.