Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal seeking service connection for left lower extremity sciatica is dismissed as the benefit was granted in full. The claims for a bilateral foot condition and right lower extremity neurological impairment were denied due to lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for timely filing of an appeal request, dismissing the attempted appeal.

The Board remands the claims for higher staged ratings and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and residual painful surgical scar, posterior trunk respectively, to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support an increase in severity of the preexisting conditions during service or a link to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and joint disorders due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate VA examination.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 1997, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and headaches, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, effective January 29, 2024 to June 2, 2025.

The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to an inability to complete ADLs such as bathing, dressing himself, and toileting.

The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and denied increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, while remanding claims for a cervical spine disability, hypertension, and a left shoulder disorder.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for herpes simplex and denied a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed as a matter of law due to the proposed reductions being reversed after a finding of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) for the period from August 29, 2014, to June 16, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain military pay records and clarify any potential Reserve service that could be considered qualifying service.

The Board granted initial 20 percent disability ratings for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supports moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed, and the claims for rhinitis, paralysis of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, a neck disability (cervical strain), right upper extremity nerve damage, back disability (lumbosacral strain), and paralysis of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve were denied or remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifesting in chronic hoarseness other than rhinitis and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 3, 2018, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a service-connected low back disability.