Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The veteran was granted a TDIU rating from November 21, 2016. Other claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation were denied.

The claim for a higher rating than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease was denied because the veteran did not attend a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran was granted a 50% rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with thoracic spine bulging disc. The issues of entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on A&A were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal for a higher rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy was dismissed because the July 2021 rating decision implementing a Board grant is not appealable.

The veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar radiculopathy, and sleep apnea were granted.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and hearing loss. Other claims were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran is granted a 20% disability rating for their left ankle condition effective May 3, 2016. Other issues related to carpel tunnel syndrome and cervical spine condition are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypotension were denied. Other issues related to various disabilities were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded. The Board will reconsider these claims after adjudicating a separate claim for lumbosacral strain.

The veteran is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 awards of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), sciatic nerve, before March 6, 2023. The decision was based on evidence showing mild symptoms.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for sciatic radiculopathy were denied, but the claim for service connection of a neck condition was remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for umbilical hernia was denied. Other issues related to service connection and disability ratings were remanded for further examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for several conditions were mixed. Some were granted, some denied, and one was remanded.

The appeal for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed due to an administrative error where the same appeal was docketed twice.

The Board denied higher ratings for cervical spinal stenosis and PTSD, dismissed the appeal for right lower extremity radiculopathy as moot, and remanded decisions on GERD and hypertension. The claim for an earlier effective date for right upper extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from December 28, 2003, to February 6, 2011.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 31, 2017. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 31, 2017.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and TDIU due to incomplete medical examinations.