Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for an addendum VA opinion to address the Veteran's symptoms without considering the ameliorative effects of his medications.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to a lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for further review by the AOJ.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board denied entitlement to a finding of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to July 8, 2021.

The Board denied higher disability ratings for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right leg and 20 percent for the left leg.

The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 30, 1978 for the award of service connection for TBI with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and denied earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining claims for further development, including service connection evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied initial compensable disability ratings for various scars, inguinal hernia, and other conditions. The issues related to lumbar discogenic pain with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, thoracic spine pain, adjustment disorder, alcohol use disorder, right clavicle facture, and left hand boxer's fracture were remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues as a matter of law due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's February 2023 VA Form 10182s, which attempted to concurrently elect multiple review options.

The Board granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and granted a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension, while denying other claims.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of October 26, 2018 for the grant of service connection for urge incontinence. The claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The Board also granted an increased rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include insomnia, and remanded the claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied higher ratings for tinnitus, OSA, and decreased anal sphincter tone of unknown etiology. The 20 percent rating was restored for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and the appeal for restoration following the proposed reduction in evaluation for right knee flexion was dismissed.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 15, 2011, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.