Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will undergo a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's increased rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted at 20 percent. The claim for a compensable rating for restless leg syndrome was denied.

The appeals regarding the disability ratings for PTSD, IVDS, and higher initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board reinstated the 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of right lower extremity. It also granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and effective dates of June 27, 2018, for TDIU and DEA.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also denied earlier effective dates and higher evaluations for several other conditions.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain missing service treatment records.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to TDIU. The Board found errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher ratings was denied, but a 70% rating for PTSD from September 26, 2021, to September 25, 2022, was granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back disability was denied. However, the veteran was granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy from September 17, 2019, to present.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several conditions but granted an effective date of June 28, 2021 for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected disabilities and initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages. An increased rating of 20 percent was granted for the right ankle disability. Claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 8, 2021, because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities made him unemployable.

The veteran's 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain was restored effective May 24, 2022. The effective date prior to March 15, 2022 for service connection of radiculopathy in both lower extremities was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as further development is necessary to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the issues of a higher rating for right lower extremity sciatica and entitlement to TDIU for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as her service-connected conditions do not significantly impact her ability to perform functions of self-care.

The Board remands the claims for further development as the current evidence is inadequate to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is being sent back for clarification.

The veteran's appeal for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The veteran's ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy were restored to 20 percent. The veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria.