Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are October 21, 2015.

The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 2, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence shows that his back condition had its onset during active service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar hemangioma, is granted as service connected. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions began during her military service.

An effective date of May 22, 2011, is granted for the award of service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis with strain (neck disability) and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2018, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for Raynaud's Phenomena of the right upper extremity and entitlement to TDIU is granted. The AOJ must correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decisions on appeal by obtaining relevant outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in March 2025 is inadequate and requires further action, including a new examination to address the nature and etiology of the claimed bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee strains, residuals of a left ankle concussion, and bilateral pes cavus are found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea. His claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and vertigo secondary to hearing loss are denied. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for his lumbar strain.

The Veteran's tinnitus, migraines, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis with sacroiliac dysfunction (a lower back disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus, migraines, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis with sacroiliac dysfunction (a lower back disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as rating increases for various neuropathies. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have manifested with the loss of use of his hands, legs, and feet.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the rating decision, and no good cause for extension was presented.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, is granted as service connected. The issues of right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left wrist fracture, bilateral hearing loss, Type II diabetes, bilateral glaucoma, OSA, cervical disc herniation, and other musculoskeletal issues are denied.,Service connection is not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve have been granted at a 20 percent level.