Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeals for initial evaluations of erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities have been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to a duty to assist error regarding notification of the Veteran's right to a hearing.

The Board denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), posterior trunk scars, and painful scars. However, it granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability from August 30, 2022, an earlier effective date of April 10, 2019, for service connection for painful trunk scars, and an earlier effective date of November 9, 2020, for TDIU and DEA.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, left and right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia, allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder strain with tendonitis and remanded issues related to service connection for right cervical radiculopathy and recognition of K.W. as a helpless child.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies of the femoral and sciatic nerves.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine), and lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The claims for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied increased ratings for these conditions, and granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity sciatica and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board granted service connection for a left breast mass condition and denied increased ratings for a trunk scar above the right breast and bilateral hearing loss. Several claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 20% disability rating, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, higher ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches.

The Board granted higher initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective March 31, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and denied increased ratings for several disabilities, while granting a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve; right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve; and fecal incontinence, all from May 7, 2012. An increased rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, was also granted effective November 30, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing, a special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The claim of CUE in the September 14, 2017, rating decision was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted an effective date of August 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and March 8, 2023, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy.