Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal was denied for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, while other issues were remanded for further evidence and examination.

The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathies due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, and nerve pain in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the claims for back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities for readjudication with new evidence.

The Board remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion that addresses the current and past levels of severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of his medications.

The Board remands the claims for a higher initial rating of the cervical spine disability and upper extremity radiculopathies to ensure consideration of additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and facial scars, status post excision of cyst of left and right jaw. However, it granted an initial 40% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from June 3, 2024.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than February 9, 2022, for the awards of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability but granted a TDIU. Several service connection claims were remanded.

The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for a psychiatric disability, 40 percent for a low back disability, and 20 percent each for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome was denied.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, DJD, from December 17, 1997 to June 3, 2022, and the effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was also set at December 17, 1997. However, a higher rating or TDIU was denied.

The Board denied higher ratings for left shoulder arthralgia and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with DDD, granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and remanded claims for increased ratings of other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to a service-connected condition, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to her service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The other issues related to PTSD, sciatica nerve left leg, sleep apnea, and diabetes were remanded due to incomplete records.

The veteran withdrew all claims on appeal, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and service connection, including cervical spine strain with IVDS, upper extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, and shin splints.