Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied higher ratings and service connection for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right ankle strain on a direct basis. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that October 11, 2012 was the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, effective December 11, 2020.

The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower status post fasciotomy and bilateral fascial hernia release at superficial peroneal nerve radiculopathy due to an administrative error in docketing.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for the low back, acquired psychiatric condition, and TDIU. The claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, dermatitis, and special monthly compensation were denied.

The Board restored the 20% rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the reduction was improper. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for tinnitus, back scar, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. However, a 50 percent rating was granted for the right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but denied ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 6, 2007, for the award of service connection and a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) from that same date.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis with IVDS, 40 percent for radicopathy, right lower extremity, and 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder, as there is no service-connected primary disability upon which secondary service connection may be granted.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings for the veteran's low back disability, left wrist disorder, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to a lumbar spine disability, and for right ear hearing loss. The Board also granted initial ratings of 10 percent for a right big toe scar and 20 percent for residuals of a right foot injury with recurrent ingrown toenail infections.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right hand disability, and tinnitus but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for left ear hearing loss and lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy right upper extremity (RUE) and remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy left upper extremity (LUE).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding no evidence supporting a higher disability rating or a link between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral leg pain but granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, low back disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.