Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2022.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for radiculopathy in all lower extremities and denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine.

The appeal for evaluation of IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed, while TDIU was granted due to the combined effects of service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease (claimed as chronic neck pain), right upper radiculopathy, right shoulder bursitis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease (claimed as chronic back pain) was withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability prior to April 1, 2021, was denied. However, his entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status from April 1, 2021, was granted in part.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for left lower nerve extremity radiculopathy (lumbar radiculopathy) to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the September 2023 rating decision on appeal.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and related radiculopathy, as well as a higher rating for right ankle sprain, to obtain additional evidence and examinations that account for the Veteran's flare-ups and medication use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, granting a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board dismissed the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and denied entitlements to earlier effective dates, higher initial ratings, and increased ratings.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and a separate 20 percent rating for radiculopathy, right lower extremity (external popliteal nerve).

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from the date the Veteran filed her claim.

The claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with spasm, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, disc herniation and L-5, S-1 microdiscectomy, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) were denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower radiculopathy, thus the appeals are dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to a low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flatfoot, arthritis of the neck, PTSD, radiculopathy of both upper extremities, and non-compensable ratings for umbilical hernia and right inguinal hernia.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy in the right and left lower sciatic nerves, both dating back to October 20, 2014. The claims for increased ratings were remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and residuals of a TBI, to include migraine headaches, but denied earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical DDD, and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical DDD.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to TDIU prior to December 22, 2021, and denied service connection for chronic fatigue, a neck condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims for skin cancer, ankylosing spondylitis/back condition, and a right foot/lower extremity neurological condition were remanded.