Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities with an effective date of September 17, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as no earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left sciatic nerve disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were considered to be moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further consideration of the basis for her TDIU award.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that July 20, 2018 is the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 27, 2019. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 is now May 1, 2018.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for rating increases and service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the thoracic spine is granted service connection.,Service connection for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities is granted with an initial evaluation of 20 percent disabled, effective November 13, 2019.,Effective date earlier than November 13, 2019, for service connection for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The initial rating for PFB remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, neck disability and associated radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete information.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, right lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were caused by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for a new addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral upper extremities conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,For her back disability, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating but the evidence does not support an increase beyond 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of his disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies. The appeals for TDIU benefits prior to May 14, 2012 and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical records and a need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her military status on the date of a letter submitted in 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings are remanded due to a lack of updated medical records and inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerves, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine due to additional development being required.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and for increased ratings and TDIU based on his thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, right knee instability, and osteoarthritis right knee are all granted with specific ratings. The radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent disabling.