Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and an automobile allowance was granted, while the claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and compensable ratings for lower extremity radiculopathies were denied.

The Board remands all claims for the RO to correct pre-decision duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral lumbar disc disease and sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. Several service connection claims were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for pseudofolliculitis barbae and left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the left leg as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board remands the claims for additional VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, right and left ankle conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome were granted with increased ratings effective March 29, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and residuals of a left foot injury, as there was no current disability. The claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and headache disorder were remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Board granted separate ratings of 20 percent for neuralgia in the left and right upper extremities but denied higher initial ratings for radiculopathy in both extremities.

The Board granted increased ratings for migraines and GERD, but dismissed the appeals related to other issues due to untimeliness.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. However, it granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar small disc protrusion, with intervertebral disc syndrome, disc bulge at L3-L4 and L4-L5 and degenerative disc disease, and left sciatic radiculopathy due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy from March 1, 2020, to August 4, 2020, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis during the same period. The Board also denied other claims including service connection for residuals of head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), an initial compensable rating for posterior trunk scar, and effective dates prior to November 1, 2020, for separate ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claims for aortic valve stenosis with regurgitation, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), neck disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, except for an earlier effective date of November 10, 2020, for service connection for GERD.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as well as a 20% rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for increased ratings for upper extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, left and right sciatic radicular pain, bilateral tinea pedis, and a compensable rating for chronic headaches due to the lack of evidence supporting an etiological relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for sinusitis and remanded the remaining service connection claims to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, tinnitus, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle tendonitis. The claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and headache disorder were remanded.