Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The veteran's appeal for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected disabilities was granted. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 10 percent for both left and right radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The decision was based on the lack of objective impairment in strength, sensation, and reflexes.

The veteran's requests for higher ratings for several conditions were denied, but the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder was denied. The veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Several other claims were remanded.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied. However, the veteran was granted a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and lumbosacral strain on and after February 8, 2018.

Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied on all bases. The Board found no evidence of in-service neurological injury, disease, or event, and the symptoms were not chronic during service.

The veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate was dismissed as moot. The claims for service connection for a right hip disability and for a higher rate of SMC were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because her service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left elbow condition, right elbow condition, and lower extremity disability manifested by nerve pain. The Board found that the VA examiner's opinions were inadequate and ordered new examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions and TDIU.

The veteran's psychiatric disability rating was increased to 70% starting April 8, 2020. The veteran is also granted TDIU beginning April 8, 2020. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and spinal stenosis with vertebral fracture. The Board found that a pre-decisional duty to assist error occurred before the January 2020 rating decision.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for several conditions were denied, but some issues related to service connection and ratings were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was granted because it is secondary to their service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back issues and radiculopathy was denied. However, the effective date for a higher rating of bipolar II disorder was granted as December 6, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disability was denied because the evidence showed no more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions and examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back, left hip strain, left knee, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The VA will provide new VA examinations to assess the extent of range of motion loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, so a TDIU is granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by previous decisions and VA examinations. The veteran will undergo new examinations to determine the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not shown to be chronic in service, did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period, and were not etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.