Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, while granting a 30% rating for herpes simplex labialis and service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 30 percent for chronic asthma, 40 percent for early osteoarthritic change of the lumbosacral spine at L3-4 (lower back), and 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as there was no evidence showing that the criteria for these ratings were met prior to April 24, 2024.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Board also denied an initial compensable rating for a right wrist scar and limitation of extension of the left knee.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal condition.

The appeal for an earlier effective date of September 26, 2023, was dismissed as moot because the benefit sought had already been granted.

The Board remands the claims for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's colon cancer and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD, granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome, and denied ratings higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with arthritis and a compensable initial rating for right ear hearing loss. The Board also denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip arthralgia, right hip arthralgia, right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, status post subtalar joint arthrodesis (right foot condition), and candida infections but granted service connection for left leg lower extremity radiculopathy and right leg lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA medical opinion to address the severity of, and functional impairment resulting from, the Veteran's low back and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the right (major) upper extremity and 30 percent for the left (minor) upper extremity.

The appeal was granted for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and a right wrist disability due to new evidence. Tinnitus was granted on direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and cervical degenerative arthritis with right upper extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for femoral nerve radiculopathy and higher ratings for back disability with IVDS and right shoulder disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 6, 2022, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD and 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran withdrew all appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review them.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and granted earlier effective dates for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea. It also granted a TDIU from March 24, 2023, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The veteran withdrew his entire appeal, and the Board dismissed all claims for service connection.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure a proper VA neurological examination is conducted.

The Board granted an effective date of October 24, 2022 for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with muscle spasm and 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to a right elbow condition and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.