Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted a disability rating of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy prior to August 10, 2012 and September 15, 2013 respectively, but denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for the left leg and 20 percent for the right leg on and after those dates.

The Veteran was granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left sciatic radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability, endometriosis, and a heart disability. The rating assigned was 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy from March 27, 2018, and 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy from July 3, 2017.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), on an extra-schedular basis, prior to July 23, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right shoulder, right knee, cervical spine, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities as there was no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease and arthritis lumbar spine, but granted initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy in the left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve, and denied higher ratings for femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral lower extremity femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that there was no factual basis to establish entitlement prior to November 27, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn and dismissed by the Veteran's representative prior to the requested hearing, as the Veteran was satisfied with his current ratings.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve due to an inadequate examination report.

The Board denied increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome, neurogenic bladder, and sensory neuropathy of the lower extremities but granted a separate 20 percent rating for sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for asthma, glaucoma, and hypertension were also denied.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability. However, service connection was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to the low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability prior to September 21, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent from that date. However, the Board granted a 20 percent rating for sciatica affecting both lower extremities starting on September 21, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee strain was granted, while his claim for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating of PTSD prior to June 19, 2023, were also granted. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned an effective date of March 20, 2020 for patellofemoral syndrome left knee, right knee limitation of flexion, and patellofemoral syndrome right knee. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and a neck scar.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate, as well as a 20 percent disability rating for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and remanded the other issues for further development.