Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left salpingectomy with residual pelvic adhesions.

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for higher initial disability ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the symptoms approximated no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an initial 70 percent rating, but not higher, for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted higher initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective March 31, 2023.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity sciatica and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied increased ratings for these conditions, and granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an effective date of August 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and March 8, 2023, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 20% disability rating, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, higher ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches.

The Board granted service connection for right hand little finger healed fracture and bilateral foot pes planus, while denying service connection for various other conditions including sinusitis, headaches, and sciatica. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for asthma.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased rating, but granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies of the femoral and sciatic nerves.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder strain with tendonitis and remanded issues related to service connection for right cervical radiculopathy and recognition of K.W. as a helpless child.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities caused and/or materially contributed to his COPD, which was listed as the immediate cause of death.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and denied increased ratings for several disabilities, while granting a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for a left breast mass condition and denied increased ratings for a trunk scar above the right breast and bilateral hearing loss. Several claims were remanded.

The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve; right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve; and fecal incontinence, all from May 7, 2012. An increased rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, was also granted effective November 30, 2018.