Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the disability and his active duty service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, while denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, neck strain, shoulder strain, and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional errors and assist in the development of the Veteran's claim.

The Board granted an effective date of November 29, 2021, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for a lumbosacral strain and January 11, 2023, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral).

The Board granted service connection for back disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and residuals of left ankle injury.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded the claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the current ratings accurately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy based on the evidence of record.

The Board restored the 40% rating for IVDS and denied a compensable rating for the mid-back scar. The claims for higher ratings and TDIU were remanded for further development.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for thoracic muscle strain but denied a higher rating. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for posttraumatic and tension headaches, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and remanded several claims related to radiculopathy, ankle, thumb, and tinnitus. An effective date of May 3, 2019, was granted for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy impacting the femoral nerve.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran has formally requested the withdrawal of all pending appeals before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board remands the case to obtain complete service treatment records, including Reserve STRs, as they may contain evidence pertinent to the Veteran's claims.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence gathering.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, eye dryness, and morbid (severe) obesity. The claim for service connection for left hand strain was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraine headaches, and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis and a TDIU prior to July 24, 2025, while denying higher ratings for back disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and mental health disability.

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability from July 17, 2009, to September 9, 2022, and remanded the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she is entitled to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes on and from December 19, 2015. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound criteria for accrued benefits purposes.