Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of October 28, 2022, for the award of a separate rating for impairment of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity associated with service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, while remanding the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder, low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims for various disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and increased ratings, except for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine which was granted with an effective date of November 9, 2012.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to provide adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back conditions, including degenerative arthritis, spina bifida, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a back condition, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU, but the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and sciatica of the left lower extremity as secondary to lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral knee problems, and peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities. The claims were based on a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board granted an effective date of February 22, 2018, for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity as there was no current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation, as well as DEA benefits, due to no evidence of a claim being filed within one year of separation from service.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral ankle sprain.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including cervical strain, left and right forearm nerve pain, bilateral shoulder disabilities, low back disability, and other related conditions.

The Board remands the claim for additional development as the VA examinations are found to be inadequate.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased rating to allow for further development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the left leg, right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the right leg, and sleep apnea. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for a right knee disability was dismissed, and the appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability was also dismissed.

The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left iliotibial band friction syndrome (claimed as left knee injury) was dismissed due to a concurrent election error.

The Board granted ratings of 30 percent and 60 percent for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting both femoral and sciatic nerves, respectively, effective December 19, 2023.