Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates and higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, granted initial 20 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and remanded claims for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, as well as remanded several issues for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, as well as a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased compensation, service connection, and initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, service connection for neurologic signs and symptoms (claimed as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy), to include as due to Gulf War illness and/or secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain, and service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability and 40 percent for the lower back disability, effective March 23, 2020, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria for evaluating musculoskeletal disabilities.

The veteran withdrew all appeals for the listed conditions, indicating he is now 100 percent permanently and totally disabled effective May 24, 2022.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion and providing proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy and painful left foot scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and remanded several other claims related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for service-connected cervical strain from February 19, 2023 to September 17, 2023 and a 40 percent disability rating for right ulnar nerve radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for pectoralis minor injury and thoracic outlet syndrome were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the claims for other left lower extremity radiculopathies, foot, ankle, leg, and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and her active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) but dismissed appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with cervical stenosis and osteoarthritis, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with asthma, while remanding several other claims for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and RLE radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.