Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for residuals of spinal fusion surgery with radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and denied an initial compensable rating for a thoracic scar.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed rating reduction for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spondylolisthesis and the appeals for entitlement to increased ratings for right and left lower radiculopathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increase beyond that rating. The claims for asthma, dizziness, and DEA benefits were remanded.

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and restored the 40 percent ratings for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic radiculopathy, effective September 16, 2022. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the back condition beginning June 3, 2023, granted a separate noncompensable rating for urinary leakage secondary to the back condition beginning June 3, 2023, and denied increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE), sciatic nerve, and remanded the claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board granted disability ratings of 30 percent for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and 40 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of August 24, 2009, for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity mild sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity mild sciatic radiculopathy. An earlier effective date was denied for the scar associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of May 3, 2021, for the veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatica radiculopathy, right hip muscle strain, and GERD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an extraschedular referral for TDIU.

The Board denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disorder and left-lower-extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) prior to September 8, 2023, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent from that date. The Veteran was also granted initial 40 percent ratings for right-lower-extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's connective tissue disorder from November 16, 2012, to May 22, 2016, and denied a higher rating in excess of 60 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 30 percent and 70 percent for left hip degenerative joint disease and right foot hallux valgus, respectively.

The Board granted an 80 percent rating for the service-connected left sciatic nerve from July 7, 2022 onward and a 10 percent rating for the left external cutaneous nerve from the same date. The other claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings to ensure compliance with a prior Board remand.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for further development and to ensure compliance with a Joint Motion for Remand.

The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from February 12, 2010 to April 14, 2023 and denied ratings in excess of the current levels for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for hearing loss, back disability, and associated lower extremity radiculopathies due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied an initial rating more than 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability and granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).