Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The veteran is granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and a separate rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from June 4, 2020.

The veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease was restored to 20 percent. Service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis was denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board remanded all issues to the Regional Office for further development of evidence and a new decision.

The veteran's ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were restored to 20 percent, effective January 1, 2023. However, the request for a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for stress urinary incontinence as secondary to lumbar radiculopathy was granted. The effective date for service connection for sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity was set to January 18, 2022. An increased disability rating of 20 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis with limited flexion from August 11, 2021, to February 2, 2023, was granted. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder from February 16, 2021, to February 2, 2023, was denied.

The veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remanded all issues to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further development, including obtaining new medical examinations and opinions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied, but the claim for a higher rating for a right ankle disability was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for back disability was denied, but the claim for a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's neck, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability.

The veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70%. Other conditions were denied or remanded.

The veteran's service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity was granted.

The Board granted the appeal, finding that the severance of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve was not proper due to procedural errors.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was granted due to new and relevant evidence.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings were denied, but the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's increased rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy to 70% and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance were granted. Other issues related to muscle and shoulder disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability, were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted. Claims for a right hand disorder and PTSD were denied. Other claims were remanded.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and TDIU. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar radiculopathy were denied, but the claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.