Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The appeal seeking restoration of a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatica was dismissed due to untimeliness, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatica was denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy prior to September 27, 2024, due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, as the severity of his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The appeal for an effective date prior to April 7, 2023, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease, IVDS, spinal fusion, and thoracolumbar spondylosis is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for her service-connected conditions, as well as an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain private examiner records.

The Board denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, but granted a 20 percent rating for a left knee strain effective from December 8, 2021.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lumbar radiculopathy as well as obstructive sleep apnea, finding no current disability or evidence linking the conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for heat stroke and increased the disability rating to 20 percent for both lower extremity radiculopathies, while denying a higher rating for cervical strain. The claims for higher ratings for knee disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 9, 2018, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right lumbar radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, GERD, and low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability but granted ratings of 40 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of October 4, 2017, for the award of service connection for lumbar strain, lumbar lordosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, posterior lumbar scar status post lumbar spinal fusion, and painful back scar.