Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various radiculopathies and granted an initial 30 percent rating for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylolisthesis and residual status post cervical spine fusion with hardware, as well as a TDIU.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity, sciatic nerve (RLE).

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety and depressive disorders, but granted a more favorable effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date of benefits for various service-connected conditions, finding that the proper effective date was June 22, 2023.

The Board denied the restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for a post-operative bilateral inguinal hernia and granted a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as service connection for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities, all secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, migraine headache disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and others, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or nexus to service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement.

The Board granted separate ratings of 20 percent for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve neuritis and neuralgia, but denied higher initial ratings for diabetic neuropathy in both legs.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding that the current disability levels did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board granted increased ratings for major depressive disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, but denied a higher rating for the same conditions from February 10, 2022.

The Board denied entitlement to earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc disease, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and right lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent disabling for left upper extremity radiculopathy with left elbow ulnar nerve entrapment, finding that the evidence supported a 20 percent rating under DC 8516.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, except for a 30 percent rating granted for the cervical spine disability starting from August 10, 2022.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, but no higher, and the 30 percent evaluation for cervical spondylosis, but no higher. It also granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy right upper extremity from March 2, 2020.

The Board granted an effective date of March 20, 2015, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for right hip limitation of extension, flexion, and impairment, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right hip. The claim was also remanded to obtain a medical opinion on the Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of October 3, 2019, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded issues related to allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, sinusitis, and sciatica.