Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective July 26, 2021, and a similar rating for lumbar strain from July 28, 2016 to September 9, 2021.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to a failure to substantially comply with previous remand directives.

The Board granted service connection for right cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for a scar on the forehead and remanded issues related to left hip, right hip, and foot disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 19, 2023, but dismissed the appeal for a higher rating from that date. The decision also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The appeal seeking higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities was dismissed as the Appellant withdrew her Legacy appeal and elected to opt-in to the modernized review system under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, to include on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, and a TDIU is also granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional evidence, including new medical examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with acute TBI was increased from 50% to 70%, but no higher, while other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain, DDD of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding flare-ups and baseline severity.

The Board granted service connection for a back disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar. The claims for hearing loss, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and restless leg syndrome (RLS) were denied.

The appeal for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, including as secondary to degenerative arthritis, was dismissed by the Veteran.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy based on impairment of the sciatic nerve, and an initial 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy based on impairment of the femoral nerve, for the period prior to January 24, 2023. The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for these conditions from that date. Additionally, the Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied a rating greater than 70 percent.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral leg disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, skin rashes, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for back disability, neck disability, anemia, right shoulder impingement and degenerative arthritis, back scars, stenosis and facet joint hypertrophy of the lumbar spine and chronic thoracic myalgia, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal for service connection for sciatica nerve pain of the right lower extremity as secondary to a back injury was withdrawn by the Veteran and is therefore dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for proposed rating reductions and denied higher ratings for leg compartment syndrome and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and an initial 40 percent rating for IVDS, while denying higher ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, a residual scar, and bilateral foot disability. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was also granted.

The veteran's appeal was denied as it was not timely filed, and good cause for an extension of time to file the appeal has not been shown.