Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right hip disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back and sciatic radiculopathy disabilities, but granted service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right foot pes planus and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability, but granted a 30 percent disability rating for radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE), and denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal was dismissed as a timely substantive appeal to the October 2017 rating decision was not received.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, to include degenerative disc disease, spinal fusion, and lumbar radiculopathy, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and thoracolumbar spine disability, but granted a 40% evaluation for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lumbar radiculopathy, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, service connection for radiculopathy, and increased ratings, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2020.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 29, 2010, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed several appeals related to disability ratings and denied a higher rating for tension headaches, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a lumbar spine disability due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the December 2023 Board decision.

The Veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted as of May 6, 2019, but no earlier. The claims for increased ratings for femoral and sciatic radiculopathy were denied.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and lumbosacral strain. The appeal was denied for facial scars, increased ratings for cervical spine DDD with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tear with chondrosis, limited flexion, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied an earlier effective date for persistent depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities required regular assistance in daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as there was no new and material evidence received within one year of the October 2018 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for chronic hip, back, neck, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disorders as they were not shown to be causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, effective from October 2023.

The Board granted an effective date of January 26, 2016, for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.