Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including cervical spine disorder, upper extremity radiculopathy, hand and thumb joint pain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus. However, the claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower back disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and internal and external cutaneous nerve radiculopathies. However, it granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities from April 1, 2020, and awarded TDIU effective February 1, 2019.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for radiculopathy, right upper extremity, to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding the effects of medication on the severity of these disabilities during flare-ups.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for a new examination to address service connection and increased rating issues.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but his claim for a higher rating for GAD was denied.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 4, 2016, and a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to January 2, 2015. The claims for higher ratings were denied in other periods.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, but no higher, for the appellate period prior to June 27, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral hip disability, and radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, granted a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity effective December 18, 2020, and granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to July 15, 2020, but denied a compensable rating from July 15, 2020, for helicobacter pylori.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent disabling for both the left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective August 23, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of proper notification and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, but denied higher ratings for left ear hearing loss and service connections for radiculopathy of both upper extremities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and TDIU, while dismissing the appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that May 19, 2021, was the earliest possible effective date.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and granted higher ratings for the low back disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, but denied service connection and higher ratings for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, GERD, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and IVDS, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia and strain, and radiculopathy left lower extremity from June 20, 2023.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection, rating increase, and reduction in rating, and the Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability.