Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and related conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will receive a VA examination to explore the nature and etiology of his current thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbar spine issues was denied, but separate ratings of 20 percent were granted for right and left lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of the veteran's conditions but remanded some issues for further evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates was dismissed. Some rating increases were granted, some denied, and others remanded.

The veteran is granted an initial rating of 30% for migraine headaches and 20% for cervical strain, both effective from February 8, 2021. The veteran is also granted an effective date of February 8, 2021, for service connection for right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board dismissed the appeal because all issues were already decided in a previous decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation of 20 percent for right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy has been granted, effective from May 21, 2021.

The veteran's disability rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy was increased to 40 percent.

The appeal for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. The Board needs a new medical opinion to determine if the condition is related to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board decided to reopen and reconsider several claims related to service connection for various conditions. Some claims were dismissed or denied, while others were remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for right lower radiculopathy due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. It also denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis. The veteran was assigned a 20% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy but did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability and restoration of a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, radiculopathy, and other conditions were remanded.

The Board denied several claims for earlier effective dates and disability ratings. Some claims were remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. Claims for diabetes and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. Other claims were remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability was dismissed. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for the back disability starting from July 2, 2020, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). All other claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran withdrew it after being granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for sciatic nerve issues was denied, but separate ratings for neuralgia were granted.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for migraines was granted. All other issues were denied or remanded.