Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an initial disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 4, 2019, for the 20 percent rating of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection for radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date, increased rating, and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the onset of upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical strain, denied service connection for alcohol use disorder, and remanded the claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral dry eye condition status post PKR surgery/LASIK with meibomian gland dysfunction, and granted service connection for chest pain. The Board also granted a 40 percent disability rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis from May 17, 2022.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and granted a 10 percent initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee scars, and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for the painful scar of the posterior trunk and remanded claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine herniated disc and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, including increased disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board denied a compensable rating for sinusitis and remanded several claims related to back, radiculopathy, ankle, wrist conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several other issues, including service connection for sleep apnea.

The appeals for service connection for vertigo, lumbago with right side sciatica, and headaches were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and idiopathic peripheral autonomic neuropathy prior to February 11, 2021.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome status post laminectomy and remanded several other issues, including a rating increase for major depressive disorder.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left ankle, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot drop, and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid disability, coronary artery disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sinus disability, bilateral flat feet, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the appeals related to proposed reductions in ratings for radiculopathy and varicose veins of both lower extremities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities to the AOJ for correction of an error by the AOJ in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities.