Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a separate rating for his service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and a left leg condition due to insufficient development of his National Guard service records, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been granted, but the appeal for increased ratings for his right upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and does not warrant a compensable rating.,His right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are not secondary to his low back disability, as he is not currently service-connected for the condition.,His anxiety disorder is also not secondary to his low back disability or associated radiculopathy.,The Veteran's low back disability (claimed as stenosis) and PTSD claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, unspecified depressive disorder, cervical radiculopathies, and metatarsophalangeal joint fusion, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 23, 2019, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve is denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed diagnosis prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis of the back and chronic sinusitis are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is now remanding the case to clarify whether he was enrolled in school full-time and obtain his complete VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity neurological disability, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses and a causal relationship.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for right hand/arm carpal tunnel syndrome and a left arm disability, other than arthritis, need to be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding no evidence that it is related to service or his service-connected left sciatic nerve involvement associated with post-herpetic pain syndrome.

Effective dates of December 8, 2011 are granted for service connection for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, erectile dysfunction, and renal failure. Effective date of February 19, 2013 is granted for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 27, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia due to submission of new and relevant evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain, and right knee scars were granted effective June 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was service-connected on June 9, 2020, and the effective date is set to that day.

The Veteran's right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 50 percent, each. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from July 6, 2021 have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.