Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and remanded the claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with sacroiliac injury and weakness due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding the evidence supports only a 20 percent rating. The Board remanded claims for cervical strain service connection, higher ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU eligibility due to duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board granted the application to readjudicate the claim of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus II (DM II) and assigned an effective date of June 24, 2022, but no earlier. The claims for earlier effective dates for other conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of radiculopathy prior to March 23, 2023.

The Board remands the increased rating claims for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities to ensure proper procedural requirements are met, including addressing whether the Appellant is a surviving spouse and properly substituted claimant.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a compensable rating for surgical scars associated with spinal fusion of the lumbar spine, but granted an effective date of March 28, 2022, for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and ED, denied service connection for obesity and bilateral hearing loss, and granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various lower extremity radiculopathies and right hand strains.

The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and remanded several claims, while dismissing or denying the rest.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded the claims for higher ratings.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine with scoliosis, right and left lower extremity sciatica, as well as service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral pes planus, and hallux valgus left foot.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a prostate disorder, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to pre-decisional errors in violation of the duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain an adequate examination and clarify the Veteran's symptoms, including flare-ups.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability but granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, which was related to his active service.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of January 7, 2020, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), but no earlier.

The Veteran withdrew the entire appeal, and all issues were dismissed.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of Parkinson-like symptoms to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service Agent Orange exposure and his diagnosed conditions, including early demyelinating polyneuropathy.

The Board denied an increased rating greater than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from August 7, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, as well as lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions, due to deficiencies in the evidence regarding aggravation of a pre-existing condition.