Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as her lumbosacral strain prior to June 1, 2016, are each granted a 20 percent rating. Her lumbosacral strain since June 1, 2016, is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand three claims: low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete, and the VA must attempt to obtain them. A new examination is required for the low back disability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remand directives. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining an independent medical expert opinion.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees are proximately due to or aggravated by medications taken to treat her service-connected PTSD.,Entitlement to service connection for a reproductive disorder, specifically PCOS and partial hysterectomy, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service use of Depo Provera.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations of the Veteran's back and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and sacroiliitis, an increased rating for right sciatic radiculopathy, TDIU, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or necessary adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 40 percent for right and left sciatic nerves since August 11, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he developed these disabilities due to injuries sustained during active duty.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings for various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral sciatic neuritis because it did not have jurisdiction over this issue, as there was no appropriate appeal regarding it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed appeals for ratings in excess of 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and claims for TDIU and SMC were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected spinal concussion and radiculopathies of the lower extremities are remanded. The Board also finds that a right hip disability may be related to his service-connected disabilities, but further examination is needed to confirm this.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shin splints, and plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hip disability, bilateral lower extremity disability (excluding radiculopathy and left knee), right shoulder disability, and sleep disorder have been denied.,There is no evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or after active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies have been rated at the maximum available disability ratings. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to accurately assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA-contracted examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and upper extremity radiculopathy.