Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance, as her service-connected disabilities did not necessitate regular assistance from another person. The claim for housebound criteria was dismissed as it had already been granted in a previous decision.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain military pay records and clarify any potential Reserve service that could be considered qualifying service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal issues, foot problems, ED, hemorrhoids, hernia, hypertension, nerve conditions in the lower extremities, shoulder and thumb issues, except for right ear hearing loss which was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence to support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed, and the claims for rhinitis, paralysis of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, a neck disability (cervical strain), right upper extremity nerve damage, back disability (lumbosacral strain), and paralysis of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve were denied or remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of the claim. The claim for a neck disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded.

The appeal for service connection for right ankle pain is dismissed as moot, while the appeals for service connection for right and left lower extremity thoracic radiculopathy are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy, left thumb injury residuals, bilateral hand tremors, chronic rhinitis (presumptively), and chronic sinusitis.,The Veteran's lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) for the period from August 29, 2014, to June 16, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, and lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities based on the evidence showing that these conditions began during and have continued since service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lower back condition, bilateral hip condition, and paralysis (claimed as a bilateral sciatic nerve condition) to obtain additional evidence.

The appeals for the proposed reduction of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and the proposed later effective dates for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies were dismissed as the November 2024 rating decision was not a finalized decision that can be appealed.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the radial nerve of the left upper extremity and a compensable initial rating for radiculopathy of the radial nerve of the right upper extremity prior to August 5, 2021.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, as the evidence demonstrated she was unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased initial ratings and service connection, effective November 18, 2019.