Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for both his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the claim.

The Board remands the claims for an increased disability rating and earlier effective date as it finds that additional evidence, specifically treatment records from a chiropractor and physical therapist, needs to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that it was not factually ascertainable prior to January 4, 2023, that his conditions began during active service or worsened to a level warranting an increase in evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back condition and bilateral radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as the earliest entitlement arose on March 20, 2023.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an increased rating of his cervical spine condition and associated radiculopathies due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied the claims for sinusitis, an increased rating for hypertension, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and other issues. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of February 25, 2020, for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and January 20, 2017, for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but denied an earlier effective date than March 6, 2020, for a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was denied due to the invalidity of the August 6, 2018, notice of disagreement and the denial of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral foot disability, and right shoulder disability. An earlier effective date for left shoulder radiculopathy was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that a rating in excess of 20 percent was not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded certain issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches and increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression, standing alone, renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board granted entitlement to a TDIU based solely on his service-connected PTSD with depression, effective June 1, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition and related radiculopathies, finding that his symptoms were chronic and persisted post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy with C5/C6/C7 nerve involvement, as the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a heart condition was denied. The veteran was granted an increased disability rating for their lumbar spine condition and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, but denied a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition and temporary total disability rating.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU due to inconsistencies in evidence and the need for further medical opinions.

The veteran was granted a 60% rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy before April 15, 2021, and TDIU from October 1, 2014. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support these entitlements.