Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for cervical radiculopathy right upper extremity, finding that April 1, 2019 was the proper effective date.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 18, 2019, to July 5, 2022, but denied higher ratings and all other claims.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity sciatica was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the docketing of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for multiple back, neck, and upper/lower extremity disabilities as well as depression. The TBI claim was denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased evaluations, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and remanded the claims for cervical radiculopathy, left hip condition, and lower extremity radiculopathy for further development.

The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the right femur fracture with subsequent pinning of the right upper thigh, and both hip strains with lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the right femur condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions and DEA benefits, as no formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 18, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for migraine headaches and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions, as well as the claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a 40 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis and a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from July 22, 2020 to May 3, 2021 for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of September 18, 2017 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied earlier effective dates for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied initial ratings higher than 20 percent for right and left sciatic and femoral nerve lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.

The Board remands the issues for further review by the AOJ, as additional evidence has been received since the last SSOC and the Veteran requested a remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, from October 1, 2017.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and a separate 30 percent rating for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy beginning June 28, 2018.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 31, 2020 for a TDIU but denied earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including missing Reserve records and outstanding SSA records.