Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 40% rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective July 24, 2014, forward, and non-compensable ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the obturator and external cutaneous nerves from January 5, 2022. The Board also granted service connection for cervical spine disability secondary to lumbar spine strain, as well as left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary conditions.

The Board denied several claims, including higher ratings for lumbar radiculopathy and an increased rating for the spine disability, as well as service connection for insomnia and anxiety.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a back disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. Hearing loss claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for tinnitus, and remanded several issues related to his PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, but granted a 40 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy and a 30 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for a Parkinson's-like condition, earlier effective dates, and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, a right elbow disability, a left knee disability, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity as there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of a 70 percent disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and a 30 percent disability rating for cervical spine disability, as well as service connection for various conditions.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain and service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for depressive disorder and earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings for service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves to ensure an adequate VA examination is conducted.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy effective March 22, 2023.

The Veteran is eligible for payment of attorney fees from benefits resulting from the December 2023 grant of past-due benefits.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to February 9, 2024, and denied higher ratings for the other issues on appeal.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee and right shoulder disabilities, effective October 3, 2023, and also granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and bilateral plantar fasciitis to obtain additional medical evidence regarding potential aggravation by a service-connected disability.

The Board granted restoration of a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), while denying the other claims.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 25, 2012 for the Veteran's service connection for radiculopathy in both upper extremities.

The Board granted an effective date of November 4, 2022, for the award of service connection for persistent depressive disorder and April 11, 2023, for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, a higher disability rating for GERD, and a compensable rating for scars associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board remands the claim for a VA neurological examination to determine the nature of any right lower extremity radiculopathy and its relationship to service and other service-connected disabilities.