Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids was denied, and claims for service connection for a neck condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lower back condition were remanded.

The Board denied the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for diabetes mellitus, lower extremity radiculopathy, upper extremity radiculopathy, and plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 11, 2020 for the service connection awards for IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board granted restoration of a 40% rating for T-9 compression fracture, status post lumbar decompression L3 - L5 and lumbar fusion, with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, as well as increased ratings to 40% for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the issues of initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy for additional development.

The claims for initial evaluations of various disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for OSA, DM, and bilateral eye diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran was also granted increased ratings for lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee instability, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a separate compensable rating and increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the August 19, 2021 intent to file claim was not associated with the subsequent December 7, 2021 formal claim.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, and hypertension.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD with IVDS and spinal stenosis, granted a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied increased ratings for meniscal tear of the right knee and right knee strain based on limitation of extension.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection claims due to a lack of evidence regarding the etiology of certain conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin cancer, GERD, arthritis, lung disability, sleep apnea, vertigo, tremors, and multiple types of radiculopathy. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings of the service-connected sciatic and femoral nerves in the lower extremities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy with numbness in hand, erectile dysfunction (ED), urinary frequency, and a shoulder scar as there was no evidence of current disability.