Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, and a nerve disorder other than service-connected bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for left great toe gout and a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, while the appeals for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and migraine headaches were denied. The appeal for an earlier effective date for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DEA benefits were dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 9, 2020 for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding flare-ups and medication effects.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and nerve disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of October 26, 2011, for the award of service connection for a low back condition. The claims for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Board granted service connection for alcohol use disorder, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with IVDS, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected cervical strain, increased ratings for headaches, back disability, and sinusitis.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period between July 6, 2010, and September 30, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and denied increased ratings for left knee strain, right hand little (5th) finger fracture, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for radiculopathy and additional upper extremity conditions were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and cervical strain, and assigned a 30 percent rating for IBS. The claim was denied for right knee scars and other knee-related issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to cervical strain, an initial 30 percent rating for sinusitis effective from November 26, 2019, and a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine effective from November 26, 2018.

The Board denied increased evaluations for PTSD, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and strains of both knees.

The Board remands the claims for further development due to incomplete evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his appeal for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and bilateral hand tremors as MUCMIs, restored a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and denied increased ratings for restless leg syndromes and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral and sciatic nerves, as these disabilities were granted secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which was not service-connected prior to June 5, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and chondromalacia of the left knee to ensure compliance with prior remand directives.