Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased disability ratings, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and remanded the claims for higher initial ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an effective date of October 8, 2016, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and denied a higher initial rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability and earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a 30 percent rating for asthma, while denying service connection for various conditions including allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, lumbar spine pain, right lower extremity sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the bilateral hands, and chronic headaches.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies to ensure proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing is provided.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to include gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD); left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome; and left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the conditions, including the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure that all relevant evidence is properly considered.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20% rating for lumbar spine disability and service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, while denying service connection for vertigo.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to thoracolumbar invertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and a herniated disc due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle achilles tendinopathy, post-traumatic (concussion) headaches, and TBI. The appeal for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, linear midline lumbar surgical scar, and bilateral hearing loss. However, the Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability and a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as there was no evidence of a prior unadjudicated claim and the earliest possible effective date is August 25, 2022.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and denied claims for right ankle calcaneal enthesopathy and left ankle calcaneal enthesopathy. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for thoracolumbar strain with bilateral sacroiliitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder but granted service connection for a lower back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis, and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy throughout the period on appeal, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.