Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal resulted in a denial of an earlier effective date for the cervical spine disability and dismissal of the claim for an earlier effective date for left upper extremity radiculopathy, while granting a 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TBI. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, right ankle scar associated with ganglion cyst in the soft tissue of the ankle with tenosynovitis, left upper extremity scars associated with post traumatic changes of the left thumb, and post traumatic changes of the left thumb were also denied. Some issues related to service connection have been remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, a back disability claimed as low back pain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for a disability manifested by memory loss claimed as a neurobehavioral effect due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for back condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and associated service-connected scar due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities to obtain a new VA examination that addresses aggravation and any additional evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, herniated disc, and lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot hammer toes with callousing and hallux valgus.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death before a decision was promulgated.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left ankle disability, and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face. The claims for service connection for various other disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left leg radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and painful motion from the left knee condition. The claims for sleep apnea and vertigo were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but remanded claims for increased ratings.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the lumbosacral strain), right shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to allergic rhinitis), and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and restored a 40 percent rating for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were denied, but an effective date of August 29, 2019, was granted for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with cervical spine fusion and spinal stenosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left hip degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease, all as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, as the evidence did not show that these conditions arose prior to March 9, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type 2B, neuromuscular scoliosis of the thoracic spine, degenerative changes of the cervical spine with chronic muscle spasms and upper extremity radiculopathy, and a right clavicle fracture as secondary to LGMD. Bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates regarding the low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed as there are no additional errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to June 12, 2020.