Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy, sciatic, left lower extremity and right lower extremity from January 29, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves due to a duty to assist error by the AOJ.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a scar, status-post laminectomy, and denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities prior to January 4, 2022. However, it granted a 20% evaluation from that date for both conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and scarring of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right leg conditions.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for cervical strain with spondylosis and restored the 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease, while denying higher ratings for all other conditions.

The Board denied the applications to revise a March 2021 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for various claims of service connection, finding no evidence that the correct facts were not before the RO or that the applicable statutory and regulatory provisions were incorrectly applied.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination and opinion to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his left knee instability, the severity of his left lower extremity radiculopathy (or right if applicable), and the etiology of his neck strain.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to obtain an opinion on whether it is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine pars interarticularis fracture (spondylolysis) with degenerative disc disease non-intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the claim was withdrawn in 2020 and no continuous pursuit of the claim was shown.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, left shoulder condition, residuals of a head injury, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board remands the matters for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and related radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent prior to July 15, 2021, and no more than 20 percent from that date.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for colitis was remanded for further development.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) from April 3, 2020.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied, and the Board remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for urinary frequency and obstructive sleep apnea, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and special monthly compensation based on the regular need of aid and attendance.

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left leg numbness associated with the sciatic nerve and right leg numbness associated with the sciatic nerve prior to March 1, 2019.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, and remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for all the conditions listed as there was no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.