Radiculopathy & sciatica — all decisions

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to inconsistent information regarding the nerve branches affected by the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and higher ratings, as well as denied service connection for various conditions.

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 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 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 granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff strain, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for a back disability and RLE radiculopathy.

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

The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 11, 2018, for a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.

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 denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, as well as a rating greater than 40 percent from April 15, 2024.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and service connection for left knee strain, but denied other claims including increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, incomplete right bundle branch block (claimed as cardiac arrhythmia), degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS, scarring of the left inguinal area, status post varicocele surgery, and service connection for left shoulder strain and restless leg syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of increased ratings for a lumbar disability and lower extremity radiculopathies, effective August 4, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder with radiculopathy of the lower extremities and bilateral hip and knee disorders due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy based on a direct link to the Veteran's military service.