Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings as a matter of law, having already adjudicated these issues in a previous decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including insomnia, asthma, migraines, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, clavicle and shoulder disabilities, arm and leg radiculopathies, hip and knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and denied the claims for service connection for chronic epididymo-orchitis, an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, an initial increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy, an increased rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, and an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board granted an initial rating of more than 10 percent for both the right and left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective from August 2023.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), while remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for a sleep disability due to lack of legal entitlement.

The appeal was denied for left lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica and remanded for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, left hip disability, right hip disability, and respiratory disability.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with spondylosis and neuroforaminal encroachment, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The Board also granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and 20 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and additional special monthly compensation, and remanded several service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and non-compensable ratings for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left knee disability as they were not related to the Veteran's active service. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeals for entitlement to initial ratings higher than 20 percent for the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to a duty to assist error in the initial rating decision.

The appeal for a higher initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was dismissed as it was improperly docketed under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from February 20, 2019, to present, and granted TDIU from May 8, 2020, to March 17, 2021.

The appeal was granted for the severance of service connection for deviated nasal septum, which was found to be improper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including knee pain, back pain, and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and femoral nerve, finding that the evidence did not support moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.