Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve involvement and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective August 28, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for trochanteric pain syndrome of bilateral hips, bilateral ankle sprain, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of bilateral knees. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip, knee disorders, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), but granted an effective date of November 27, 2023 for a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, a right hip disability, and a right knee disability to schedule VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle disability, a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for left thumb strain, and a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to November 21, 2020 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities and DEA benefits.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar sprain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the severity of these disabilities.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the back, right shoulder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as the symptomatology did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various knee and back conditions, as well as secondary radiculopathy and neurogenic bladder dysfunction, due to a need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left upper extremity ulnar nerve radiculopathy based on evidence showing the condition began during the Veteran's active duty and has continued since then.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies to provide the Veteran with the examiners' curriculum vitae before determining their competence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right lower extremity, finding no evidence that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure that the AOJ fulfills its duty to assist the appellant with the development of his claim.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, effective March 29, 2024. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to June 18, 2024 and a 40 percent rating from October 29, 2012 for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a higher rating during the period from June 18, 2024 was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or entitlement to SMC based on housebound status.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands all issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives.