Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy based on the symptoms more nearly approximating moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied increased ratings for obstructive sleep apnea/asthma, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, sciatica, bilateral lower extremities, and bladder and bowel incontinence.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, a right ankle disability and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically regarding the distinction between neurological and orthopedic symptoms.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for total disability due to individual unemployability and service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as they are currently in the Higher Level Review process.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, left leg disability (meralgia paresthetica and radiculopathy), left eye disability (cataracts, other than scar), cardiac disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected persistent depressive disorder. SMC was also granted based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 100 percent for depressive disorder with anxiety and a 50 percent rating for migraines, while denying increased ratings for rhinitis and sleep apnea. The appeal was dismissed for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for a right hip condition, which is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The back and left knee conditions were remanded for further development.

The appeal was partially granted, with some claims for increased ratings being denied and others being granted. The Veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits were earlier than previously awarded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as remanded issues related to increased initial ratings.

The Board remands the matter for a VA peripheral nerves examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy disability.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of various nerves in the lower extremities, as the evidence is conflicting regarding when entitlement to service connection arose.

The Board granted restoration of a 10% rating for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective from April 1, 2024. The appeals seeking increased ratings were denied.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder and remanded claims for service connection of bone spurs and sciatica due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.