Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and strain of the thoracolumbar spine, a 20 percent rating for femoral radiculopathy, but denied any higher ratings for sciatic radiculopathy. Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate was also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for right ankle range-of-motion loss, secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain status post laminectomy and microdiscectomy, was granted. An earlier effective date of March 1, 2016, but no earlier, for the 20 percent rating assigned for lumbar strain status post laminectomy and microdiscectomy was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 3, 2021, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claim for an effective date prior to July 26, 2022, for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board granted an effective date of July 25, 2022 for the initial rating of 40 percent for a back condition and 10 percent for a sciatic condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as there was no evidence or assertion that would reasonably raise a claim for right leg radiculopathy out of another claim that was pending at the time.

The Board restored the 60% rating for degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine, status post fusion, with stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies were denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for left arm radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities to ensure a proper peripheral nerve examination is conducted.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left elbow sprain, right elbow enthesophyte, left knee strain and enthesophyte, right knee strain, and right leg radiculopathy but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, cervical and thoracic spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use to allow the AOJ to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the cervical spine, cervical radiculopathy of the left arm, back disability, left elbow condition, left shoulder condition, left wrist condition, left hand condition, hypertension, and an initial rating of 10 percent for coronary arteriosclerosis prior to September 24, 2024.

The Board granted an effective date of May 6, 1998 for service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine condition.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's low back and radiculopathy symptoms is accurately assessed, considering any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board dismissed the service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and denied a higher rating for right ankle osteochondritis dissecans with osteochondral fracture.

The Veteran's service connection for right sciatic radiculopathy was granted, while claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bulimia nervosa, anxiety disorder), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral knee pain were denied.