Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for diabetes and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, while remanding several other claims including lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, nasal fracture, hemorrhoids, and insomnia.

The appeal for service connection for hyposmia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity, and erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date and higher ratings, as well as a TDIU claim, due to outstanding evidence from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity was granted from June 10, 2019.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain a more thorough VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, left and right hip disabilities, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The decision also denied earlier effective dates for various disability ratings and claims.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded certain claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) prior to February 28, 2018, and greater than 40 percent thereafter, and for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right leg lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the appeal for readjudication due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his cervical spine disability and upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the case for further development to ensure compliance with prior directives and obtain a retrospective opinion on the severity and progression of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radicular group nerves impairment was granted a disability rating of 40 percent prior to August 18, 2022, and 70 percent from that date. The claims for increased ratings for the left lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities as they are inextricably intertwined with a previously remanded claim for lumbar spine strain and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for higher ratings and additional service connection.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure an adequate VA examination is conducted.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar disorder and other conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine. The respiratory complaints claim was remanded.