Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability and service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, as well as DEA benefits.

The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure proper VA examinations are conducted.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and traumatic brain injury, resulting in the dismissal of both claims.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 29, 2007 for the grant of service connection for headaches, degenerative arthritis of the neck, left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 18, 2019, through October 20, 2020, and an effective date of July 18, 2019, but not earlier, for the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's back brace, used to treat a service-connected disability, tended to cause wear and tear to his shirts in 2021, thus granting an annual clothing allowance for the year.

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) is granted due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, finding that the symptoms more nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The appeal for VA disability benefits is dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to properly identify the specific issues he wishes to appeal.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, granted a 10 percent rating for right and left knee conditions from May 27, 2022 to May 26, 2023, and remanded the PTSD claim.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected left arm radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity (RUE) cervical radiculopathy and remanded the claims for hypertension, heart condition, prostate condition, and G6PD deficiency.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and lumbar radiculopathy, but remanded the claims for right foot condition and left foot condition.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica of the legs, effective September 1, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and amputation of the distal right ring finger were denied.