Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted initial evaluations of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, as well as separate evaluations of 10 percent disabling for the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for peripheral nerve with sciatica in both legs, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the surgical scar on the right wrist and denied an increased rating for the residuals of the right wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis. The appeal for earlier effective dates was also denied, as were the appeals for higher ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted an effective date of August 9, 2021, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities but denied earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 12, 2022, for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for readjudication and further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the severity of the appellant's service-connected disabilities and associated symptoms over time.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain a more comprehensive medical examination.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for headaches and remanded the claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, lower right extremity radiculopathy, and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied earlier effective dates for the cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy claims, and remanded an increased rating claim for the cervical spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and greater than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, denied a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and granted service connection for sinusitis.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence gathering.

The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected low back condition, but remanded other issues including knee disability ratings and frostbite claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for various radiculopathies and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability.

The Board granted an effective date of August 31, 2022, for the award of service connection for multiple conditions including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, chronic (claimed as depression), deviated septum with rhinitis, vertigo, sleep apnea, cervical strain (claimed as neck condition), left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).