Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for increased initial evaluations of left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral and sciatic nerves due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, while the evaluation greater than 20 percent for hemorrhoids is denied. Several claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for each condition.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and remanded claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and compensation benefits due to new evidence being received after a previous denial.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's back pain, and a compensable rating for tension headaches.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability on a secondary basis, but remanded the claims for a left arm condition and special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance was not due to service-connected disabilities, and therefore special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound for accrued benefits is denied.

The Board granted service connection for a headache condition and assigned a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while denying increased ratings for the low back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The obstructive sleep apnea and right knee conditions were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, as well as right upper extremity radiculopathy of the upper and middle radicular nerve groups.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for each of the Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, finding that the evidence more closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve and remanded claims for service connection for shoulder disabilities and TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports that do not properly account for flare-ups.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with vertebral fracture and 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for TBI residuals, headaches secondary to TBI, and sciatic conditions due to a need for additional development of the record.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for headaches and gastrointestinal issues were remanded.