Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder, moderate, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis. The claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right wrist disorder and left wrist disorder were remanded.

The Board granted eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a February 2024 rating decision granting an increased right shoulder disability rating and service connection for a neck disorder, but denied such eligibility for tinnitus and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a TDIU and dismissed the proposal to combine service connection for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee limitation of extension with residuals of right knee total arthroplasty.

The Board granted an effective date of November 4, 2020, for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy and March 24, 2021, for the right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted separate ratings of 10 percent for neuralgia of the left sciatic nerve and right femoral nerve, but denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy. The Board also remanded a claim for service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and remanded the claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back and lower extremity disabilities, but granted a TDIU from October 1, 2022.

The Board granted eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a May 2023 rating decision granting service connection for a neck disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied such eligibility for right and left shoulder disorders as well as right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of entitlement to an earlier date than those assigned by the RO.

The Board granted restoration of a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus and denied increased ratings for left knee arthritis, right knee strain, varicocele, lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Erectile dysfunction was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for PTSD, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and low back strain with IVDS.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain and related conditions was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the filing.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine (back) disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and a compensable initial evaluation for a right ear hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, left knee disability, GERD, and erectile dysfunction were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased rating, but remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for neck disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the restoration of a 20% disability rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve but granted a 10% disability rating effective August 22, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular requirements for a TDIU since February 9, 2015, and an effective date of that date is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities but granted a 10 percent rating for a painful scar of the mid back and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.