Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal of the issues related to increased ratings for various conditions, including tendonitis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, was dismissed due to a procedural defect.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a right elbow disability, to include cubital tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy. The appellant was also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as certificates of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and automobile adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing (SAH), and a special home adaptation (SHA) grant.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 8, 2010, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of each claim.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues listed, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board granted an effective date of August 1, 2014, for GERD and service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder and left hip pain, but granted service connection for lumbar left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations and missing evidence.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as of April 12, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, chronic sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The initial disability ratings for PTSD, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were also denied. Several issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease in the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board granted a separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from March 17, 2020, and a 40 percent rating for both the right and left lower extremities from May 28, 2010, to September 9, 2021.

The Board granted a temporary total evaluation for the service-connected lumbar spine disability requiring convalescence from July 20, 2018, to August 31, 2018. The Board also granted initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve until certain dates, denied higher ratings, and granted a 50 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability starting September 1, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine herniated disc and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for right middle knuckle disability, dry eye syndrome, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and anxiety disorder. The claim for a stroke was denied, as well as an increased rating for respiratory disability prior to December 8, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and assigned initial ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30 percent, but no higher, for left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are being remanded to correct a duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, while denying service connection for right foot pain. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial evaluation for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, finding the conditions to be moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.