Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied more than a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity varicose veins, as well as higher initial ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, herniated disc, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and denied service connection for a neck disability.

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

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in order to obtain missing VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in order to obtain missing VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in order to obtain missing VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial disability ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic, femoral, and external cutaneous nerves to obtain a medical opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of prescribed medications on the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates for the increased 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board denied the appeal to restore service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a dishonorable discharge.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 50 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis, while denying increased ratings for left knee instability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of continuous pursuit within one year of the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to September 1, 2022 for the ratings of radiculopathy and a painful scar were denied as there was no evidence supporting an earlier date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and a rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left sciatic radiculopathy prior to January 29, 2019, and entitlement to TDIU. A higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date of May 15, 2020, for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for a low back disability and associated radiculopathies of the bilateral lower extremities, as the December 13, 2023 claim was deemed to be the date of claim.

The Board granted service connection for migraines, including migraine variants, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU rating on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings for the femoral nerve radiculopathy and service connection for dental disability, right thumb sprain, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability and granted a 20 percent rating, but not higher, for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity, and a 40 percent rating, but not higher, for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity. Other claims were denied.