Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis, and granted effective dates of July 16, 2021 or August 20, 2021 for several other conditions, while denying earlier effective dates for some.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DIC benefits because the Regional Office failed to obtain a VA medical opinion to determine whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused, contributed to, or aggravated his death from metastatic colon cancer. The Board found a reasonable possibility that a medical opinion would aid in substantiating the claim, particularly regarding whether alcohol use disorder was a risk factor for the colon cancer.

The Board granted a 100 percent initial disability rating for major depressive disorder and denied all other claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected bladder dysfunction was granted a maximum rating of 60 percent, and an effective date of April 29, 2015, for the award of TDIU was also granted.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral ankle pain, foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, low back pain, and sciatica, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities and a kidney disability.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a rating in excess of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. The left shoulder strain with subacromial bursitis was remanded.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar back disorder and denied an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while remanding the claim for a higher rating for the lumbar back disorder.

The veteran was granted a disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease prior to December 17, 2020, and initial ratings of 20 percent for neuritis and neuralgia for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for higher ratings were denied.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure adequate medical opinions are obtained.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff, right shoulder scar, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, all effective March 1, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and dismissed claims, with some issues remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU, with effective dates and ratings as specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, service connection, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, except for granting a total disability rating from October 16, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity nerve condition to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability but denied it for his right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for a back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, but granted a 20 percent rating from October 11, 2023, for the back disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development of evidence, specifically to obtain private radiology and chiropractic records.

The Board granted increased 40 percent ratings for a service-connected back condition, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from July 12, 2022, but denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for a service-connected neck condition.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected scoliosis and his military occupational specialties.