Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted an effective date of August 13, 2019 for the grant of service connection for associated lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity and a rating of 20 percent for associated lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity beginning on that date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities to obtain addendum opinions that address the Veteran's reported post-service treatment.

The Board remands the matters for further development, including a new VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining missing treatment records.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the service-connected right leg radiculopathy prior to October 6, 2023, but granted a 20 percent rating from October 6, 2023 onward.

The Board granted initial ratings for DJD of the thoracic spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left knee limitation of extension, while denying higher ratings. The Veteran was also awarded SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted effective dates of September 10, 1988, but no earlier, for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as an effective date of April 1, 2001, for a rating of total disability due to individual unemployability based upon service-connected disorders (TDIU).

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased initial ratings for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease was granted to 40 percent effective May 5, 2023, while the appeals for lumbar radiculopathy in both lower extremities were also granted at 10 percent with the same effective date.

The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, limited ability with flexion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee arthritis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteochondroma was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and effective dates due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded a claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis, but remanded the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection for a low back disability was April 27, 2016.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, neck, right shoulder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left and right knee disabilities, and left testicular torsion due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supports moderate incomplete paralysis in the right lower extremity.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding the Veteran's symptoms to be moderate in severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded a claim for service connection for a low back disorder.