Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, diarrhea, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, sciatic nerve pain in the right leg, and sciatic nerve pain in the left leg. The claim for erectile dysfunction was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 26, 2020. The decision was based on evidence showing the veteran could perform sedentary work and was gainfully employed until October 31, 2014.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings due to inadequate VA examinations. The veteran will receive new evaluations.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the veteran's current service-connected disabilities and resulting obesity. The decision was based on medical evidence showing a causal link between the veteran's OSA, obesity, and service-connected conditions.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities. The Board found that a pre-decisional duty to assist error occurred because the VA examiner did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, so he is granted total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of a higher-level review request and service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot disability, and psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine DDD was partially granted, with a 20 percent rating from October 22, 2020. Other claims, including those for cervical spine arthritis, PTSD, and reactive airway disease, were denied. Claims related to knee and foot disabilities, as well as TDIU and DEA benefits, were remanded.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis was remanded.

The veteran withdrew all claims, so the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their claims.

The veteran is granted a 20 percent initial rating for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for several conditions was granted, with the effective date set to January 26, 2021. The veteran will receive a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease.

The VA denied higher ratings for several conditions but granted a separate 10% rating for hallux valgus and 40% ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities starting from March 20, 2020. TDIU was also granted from the same date.,,,,,,,,The VA did not find new and relevant evidence to reopen claims for hypertension, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss.,,,,

The Veteran's service-connected right sciatic nerve rating was restored to 20 percent. The claim for a compensable rating for right internal saphenous nerve radiculopathy was denied.

The Board granted eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in a January 2023 rating decision. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were granted increased ratings, making the issue of entitlement to a TDIU moot.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been granted. The Board found that the OSA is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, as well as an initial rating in excess of the assigned percentages. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.