Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board granted an increased rating from 20 percent to 40 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supports a rating of 40 percent based on moderate severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased disability ratings and higher initial disability ratings, leading to their dismissal.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for a higher rating and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service.

The appeal was denied due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals on April 28, 2025.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; cervical spine radiculopathy, right upper extremity; coronary artery disease; and right ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy as they were already granted. The claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and cervical spine disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation post ablation, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and multiple wrist and finger pain conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow and secure substantially gainful employment, thus a total disability rating for individual unemployability is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, left ankle arthritic condition, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, right ankle arthritic condition, right knee strain, sciatica, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder and denied increased ratings for the lumbar disability, left and right sciatica, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased rating of 40 percent from March 7, 2022, for left and right sciatic radiculopathy and restored a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis.

The appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals at a December 2024 Board hearing. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right sciatica, finding that the evidence supported a rating of 10 percent but not more.

The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for claims related to an increased rating and service connection, as well as lack of jurisdiction over a previously granted claim for sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorders, polycythemia vera, and hand and finger disorders as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.