Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted initial disability ratings, but with limitations on their severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent effective February 20, 2018. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and secondary service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's asthma, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated as they were prior to the remand. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted a 20% disability rating for the period prior to November 9, 2012.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his service-connected allergic rhinitis, degenerative change of sacroiliac and pubic symphyseal joints (claimed as fractured coccyx), right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The restoration is effective June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 29, 2013 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 8, 2017 for the awards of an 80 percent rating for narcolepsy with cataplexy and sleep paralysis; a 20 percent rating for benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and hypotonic bladder; and a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 8, 2017 for the award of TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for neck, TBI, and upper extremity radiculopathy issues as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection was granted for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathies secondary to service-connected arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity (femoral nerve), as these issues are currently pending in the legacy system.

The Board has denied a separate compensable rating for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as it would result in impermissible pyramiding.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD is currently rated at 10 percent from December 17, 2012 to November 7, 2019 and at 30 percent thereafter. The claim for higher ratings for CAD is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and lower extremities are all rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of July 7, 2017, for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal for an earlier effective date of July 7, 2017, for the 40% rating for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted with an effective date of July 7, 2017. Appeals for earlier effective dates of October 23, 2017, for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2020. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Board is requesting further evidence and examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of his left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's lower back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by a probable accident resulting from combined drug toxicity. Service connection for the cause of death is granted, but accrued benefits and nonservice-connected death pension benefits are denied due to untimely filing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities were granted, but an effective date earlier than January 13, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his spondylolysis, L4-L5, lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus L3-L4 was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent prior to June 3, 2021, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.