Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues for new VA examinations to adequately address the Veteran's lumbar and left lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, as well as related claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, femoral nerve from January 22, 2018 through August 28, 2022 and granted ratings of 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve from August 29, 2022 to August 27, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy to schedule a VA examination.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder, with PTSD; a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, to include intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis (thoracolumbar spine disability); and initial ratings of 40 percent each for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a 20 percent rating or higher for the same condition, and any other initial ratings for the right knee disability under other Diagnostic Codes pertaining to the knee and leg. A 10 percent rating was granted for allergic rhinitis (claimed as chronic sinusitis).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings, and service connection due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine strain with IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the lumbar spine disability), and right and left knee disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and left arm disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for right knee meniscus tear, post arthroscopic surgery.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, right lower extremity nerve damage, low back disability, and genital warts. The neck disability claim was remanded.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 2, 2019, but denied an earlier effective date prior to September 9, 2022, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of both legs as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, but remanded the claim for left shoulder pain.

The Board denied the motions to revise on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for all three rating decisions in question.

The appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for migraines, but denied earlier effective dates and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, left femoral nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities from November 2, 2006, but denied a higher rating for lumbar spine strain with mild osteoarthritis and mild stenosis. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from November 2, 2006.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's right hip disabilities and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board remands the claims for higher evaluations of lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right leg to provide an adequate examination that considers the ameliorative effects of medication with regard to range of motion.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for left eye optic atrophy with visual defects and denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including hips, back, shoulders, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's disability is related to in-service injuries and aggravated by a service-connected lumbar condition.