Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates of July 20, 2017 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied earlier effective dates prior to February 4, 2021 and May 3, 2021 for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies respectively.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to July 23, 2018 for service connection for various conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and also granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux, as well as higher ratings for left and right femoral nerve radiculopathy. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including frostbite residuals of the upper and lower extremities, left hip strain, tinnitus, depressive and alcohol use disorders, radiculopathy, anosmia, right upper eyelid scar, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the back disability from January 25, 2023, to May 31, 2023, and denied a rating in excess of 100 percent between May 31, 2023, and October 1, 2023. The remaining claims for increased ratings for the back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased ratings, finding no basis in law or facts to support claims for earlier effective dates.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain an additional VA opinion.

The appeal for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed as the AOJ granted service connection within a September 2024 decision.

The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's back disability, including a retrospective opinion on range of motion findings prior to April 5, 2022.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for asthma was denied, but a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 11, 2017 was granted.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from January 18, 2012 to November 2, 2017, and separate 10 percent ratings for various other nerves starting on November 18, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ankle condition, back disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection for depression, a left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability, and an increased rating for a right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability and a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, while dismissing appeals for increased ratings on the left knee. Service connection was also granted for right and left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the residuals of right ring finger mid-metacarpal fracture remodeling surgery based on painful motion of the wrist from July 6, 2021, to June 14, 2022, and denied a higher rating since June 15, 2022. The Board also granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful motion of the right long finger since July 6, 2021.