Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and diagnostic reports to address the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower extremity pain.

The Board denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, heart condition, lung condition, left foot arthritis and bone spurs, right foot arthritis and bone spurs, and left upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a compensable rating for lumbar surgical scars.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in a May 2022 rating decision.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board granted an effective date of January 10, 2019, for the award of separate ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities but denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and effective dates of May 19, 2011, for right and left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board granted service connection for a neck condition, radiculopathy in both upper extremities, and a left ankle disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for right knee limitation of flexion but denied a higher rating for the same condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board determined that the severance of service connection for PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and tinnitus was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the initial award.

The Board granted an effective date of April 2, 2018 for right carpal tunnel syndrome and service connection for right C6-7 cervical radiculopathy.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left thumb sprain. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as the proposed rating reductions, were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct duty to assist errors.

The appeal for service connection for depression was granted, while the claims for service connection for various other disabilities were denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 2, 2021, for the evaluation of left lower extremity sciatic nerve.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and a right shoulder disability. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, nor was he permanently housebound due to his service-connected conditions.