Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it needs more evidence to decide if OSA is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral sciatic nerve disorder, Gulf War syndrome, and vertigo due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's neck disability, including cervical radiculopathy, finding it related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities, secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, was granted. The effective date is July 19, 2022.

The Board remanded the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities need to be reassessed.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder (MDD) because it was based on a clear and unmistakable error in an August 2005 rating decision, which had already been addressed by a previous Board decision.

The Board remanded the claim for an effective date prior to June 25, 2012, for a TDIU due to insufficient information on the Veteran's income during the period from 2007 to 2012.

The veteran withdrew their appeal for all claimed conditions, so the Board dismissed the case.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed due to duplication. The appeal for service connection for sinusitis was remanded for further development.

The veteran's back condition and related leg pain are service-connected.

The veteran's PTSD and major depression have been rated at 100% from July 14, 2022. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate starting August 17, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to July 31, 2008, finding that there was no plausible evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed. The claims for higher ratings for several conditions were remanded. An effective date of September 5, 2019, for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted.

The veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and cervical spondylosis, but denied for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy both before and after April 5, 2022.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were mostly denied, but a rating of 90 percent for residuals of a right total hip replacement and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions were denied. The claim for left knee degenerative arthritis was remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right hip disability. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new and relevant evidence, but additional medical opinions are needed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities were granted due to new and relevant evidence. The veteran was also granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. All other conditions are denied or remanded.