Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for a low back disability, and 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective October 23, 2013. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a recurrent right hand disability and a recurrent left foot disability to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further development, as the current record is inadequate to determine whether the Veteran has these disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, except for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), which was granted from January 21, 2020, to October 11, 2020. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for chronic cervical condition and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to the chronic cervical condition has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's neck condition and dismissed the claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as fully granted, while remanding the claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the neck disability.

The Board granted service connection for a migraine headache disorder but denied service connection for right and left upper extremity disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal for service connection for left leg radiculopathy as secondary to lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was dismissed because the claim was granted in a May 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy/neuritis, left elbow and wrist based on the evidence showing a current disability, in-service symptoms, and a nexus to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spondylosis.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left hip disability, and a right hip disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of increased ratings and a TDIU, but denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a peripheral nerve examination and the curriculum vitae of the examiners involved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathies due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities, while remanding a claim for a neck disorder for further development.

The Board granted an initial 60 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with insomnia, and an initial 60 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), as well as an initial 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right eyelid chalazion as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for various disabilities, including left hip strain with trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of abduction of the left hip, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy with two-millimeter posterior disc bulges at L4-5 and L5-S1 and hemorrhoids, finding that April 23, 2001 was the earliest possible effective date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's residual low back scar, with pain, from June 8, 2010 to February 11, 2016 and denied a compensable rating for the same condition from February 11, 2016. The Board also denied an effective date prior to June 8, 2010 for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and residual low back scar.