Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain due to untimely appeals. The claims for knee degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic pain syndrome were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking them to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability, while remanding the claims for pes planus, headaches, GERD, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The back disability rating was remanded.

The Board vacated its November 30, 2023 decision and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lumbar radiculopathy prior to October 24, 2011, but denied entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities to obtain private chiropractic treatment records.

The Board granted an effective date of February 26, 2016, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board granted service connection for low back arthritis and strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee arthritis.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and granted a separate, initial disability rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with compression fracture L4 and granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to the Veteran's withdrawal of certain claims, and denied service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, left ankle disability, jaw disability, left knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, cervical spine disc bulging at C5-C6 and C6-C7, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, tinnitus, and rhinitis. However, service connection was granted for sleep disturbances (diagnosed as sleep disorder due to mental disorder).

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a neck cyst.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the earliest date it is factually ascertainable that he developed bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was September 2, 2022, and his symptoms were best described as 'moderate' incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date, but granted TDIU as of July 3, 2019.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative disease, and left hip strain conditions, but granted a 10 percent rating for left hip strain impairment of thigh from April 13, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity cervical spine radiculopathy, as secondary to the service-connected disability of cervical spine degenerative joint disease, based on clear and unmistakable error in the October 2020 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, secondary to the service-connected back condition and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar radiculopathy right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve beginning on June 14, 2022, but denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date. The Board also remanded the claim for residual numbness, right hand status post surgery.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 20 percent rating for service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as remanded the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 1, 2023.