Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left and right foot pes planus were denied. Other issues, including total disability rating based on individual unemployability and service connection for various conditions, were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request to restore higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, finding that the reductions were proper based on medical evidence.

The Board remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 13, 2024. The Board found that there was competent evidence suggesting the Veteran's service-connected disabilities may have rendered him unemployable during an earlier period.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis due to insufficient objective evidence regarding neurological abnormalities.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran's service connection for headache disability is granted. An earlier effective date of September 28, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine IVDS is also granted. All other issues are denied.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from March 25, 2016, but the claim for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) is remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for Bell's palsy and an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. Several other issues were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain missing VA treatment records and translate submitted evidence.

The appeal is remanded to obtain complete federal records needed to adjudicate the claim. The Board needs more information about when the misconduct occurred to determine if the veteran's periods of service can be separated for VA benefit purposes.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right ankle strain, both secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and denied all other issues.

The Board dismissed claims for asthma, kidney cancer, chest pains, and rhinitis due to lack of adjudication. Claims for cervical DDD, shoulder strains, hip conditions, and foot conditions were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left lumbar radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that the VA medical opinions were inadequate and required further review.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating was denied, but the issue of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board granted separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 11, 2011, and TDIU from November 24, 2011, while dismissing claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc and joint disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating was dismissed because she withdrew her claim.

The case is remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.

The appeals for rating reductions were dismissed because they were not final decisions. The claim for GERD service connection was remanded due to inadequate examination.