Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, status post fusion and discectomy with limitation of motion, effective August 10, 2023. The Board also granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine herniated disc and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims that five prior rating decisions were products of clear and unmistakable error. The Board found that the Veteran's arguments constituted disagreements with how the Agency of Original Jurisdiction weighed evidence in final prior decisions, which cannot rise to the level of valid CUE claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, and all claims were dismissed.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy based on the evidence showing moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, including lumbar disc bulge, lumbar scoliosis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and granted a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while denying all other claims.

The appeal for an increased rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder and other disabilities was denied, with no increase in the assigned ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for various conditions, except for a granted rating of 30 percent for GERD throughout the period on appeal.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, effective January 29, 2024 to June 2, 2025.

The Board remands the case for additional development to ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and denied increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, while remanding claims for a cervical spine disability, hypertension, and a left shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for timely filing of an appeal request, dismissing the attempted appeal.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, with effective dates from March 15, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU and DEA based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support an increase in severity of the preexisting conditions during service or a link to service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for ADHD and spondylolisthesis, cervical spinal stenosis, and neck strain as they were not ripe for review. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for herpes simplex and denied a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 1997, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbosacral strain.