Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy left lower extremity sciatic nerve as secondary to IVDS, finding the evidence was at least evenly balanced.

The Board granted service connection for various radiculopathies and cervical spine conditions, with effective dates of March 7, 2014, but no earlier, and June 23, 2014, but no earlier. It also granted an initial rating of 30 percent from March 7, 2014, for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and a 40 percent rating from June 23, 2014, for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected depression, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and awarded a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The effective date for the awards of service connection for the lower extremity conditions was denied.

The Board granted an effective date of July 25, 2014, for the grant of a 20 percent evaluation for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's back, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and a surgical scar, as well as earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The claims for increased ratings for right hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and service connection for radiculopathy were denied.

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for left arm, effective July 14, 2021, and denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for radiculopathy right arm. The claim for an increased rating for cervical spine was remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings for various conditions, granted an earlier effective date for left knee instability, and granted TDIU and DEA eligibility on and after April 27, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted restoration of the 20% rating for the back disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and several related conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, arm radiculopathy, headaches, left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for higher ratings for depressive disorder and ankle strains was denied.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a back injury of the lumbar spine and bilateral radiculopathy, and awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of May 9, 2019.

The Board denied increased ratings for the back disability, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right great toe hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disorder and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's back disability has been productive of functional loss that more closely approximated at least favorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, warranting a rating of at least 40 percent from September 30, 2009.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical degenerative arthritis to correct pre-decisional errors, including failing to obtain relevant private medical treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the November 2023 TERA opinions are inadequate.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board vacated its previous decisions and remanded the claims for earlier effective dates of service connection and TDIU due to an erroneous understanding of the Veteran's election for Higher-Level Review.