Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2011, because her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person because of service-connected PTSD, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains were denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of August 1, 2017.

The Board vacated its previous decision and remanded the appeal for further review of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings will be re-evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and special monthly compensation based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's right ankle disorder rating was increased to 20 percent. Other issues, including painful joints and surgical scars, were denied or remanded.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted. Service connection for recurrent ear infections was also granted. However, several disability rating increases were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings of several conditions, stating that the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year before the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation for low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The claim for TDIU was denied, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Board denied all claims, including service connection for bilateral feet disability and increased ratings or earlier effective dates for various conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of April 8, 2020 for service connection for right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy but denied earlier dates for left and right femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity. The decision was based on the evidence showing moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and higher ratings for various conditions but remanded decisions on the effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy and rating for IVDS.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions but granted it for lumbosacral strain and related radiculopathies.

The veteran's service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease, is granted. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 5, 2022. The case is remanded for consideration of TDIU prior to this date.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The effective date is December 1, 2022.