Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as an initial 40 percent rating for recurrent lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine from July 9, 2004. The claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and a lumbar spine disability, to include bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU prior to February 2, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board granted higher ratings of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied earlier effective dates prior to February 14, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability but granted service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and granted restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, higher ratings, and other benefits due to deficiencies in the evidence of record.

The Board restored the 70% rating for PTSD and the 40% rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the reductions were not proper.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to an incomplete record, specifically missing treatment records from the Veteran's primary care physician.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, TMJ, cervical strain, and others, to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the April 2024 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the left wrist scar but remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, dysphagia, and a back condition but dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left foot disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 1, 2024, and remanded the claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a left elbow condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities prior to April 22, 2023.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy to ensure a new VA examination and medical opinion that adequately evaluates the nature and severity of the disability, considering the ameliorative effects of pain medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into a VR&E program for additional education to prepare for suitable employment in healthcare or finance, as he was found not to have an employment handicap.

The Board restored the 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the reduction was improper. The other issues were remanded for further development.