Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition, but remanded claims for other conditions including neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed for claims related to an effective date prior to November 14, 2016, for the grant of service connection and increased ratings.

The Board remands the claims for an increased evaluation of fibrocystic breast disease and service connection for left and right sciatic nerve pain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 9, 2006 for the award of service connection for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and August 31, 2005 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome; 20 percent initial disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy; and a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right lower extremity disability and remanded the claim for a left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that entitlement to service connection did not arise until April 19, 2024.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for reinstatement of a 20 percent disability rating for both his right and left anterior crural (femoral) nerve radiculopathy, effective August 15, 2023.

The Board granted separate 10 percent ratings for recurrent instability of the right and left knees, but remanded other claims related to lower extremity radiculopathy and knee strains with instability.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity external popliteal nerve radiculopathy but denied a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for keratoderma is dismissed as moot. Service connection was granted for several conditions, and effective dates were assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia in the left and right lower extremities due to a lack of evidence supporting a direct or secondary relationship to military service.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for service-connected left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, as the Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective April 2025.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headaches, hypertension, and right lower extremity radiculopathy to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increased rating to 40 percent for the right side.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and remanded the claims for higher ratings due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with right leg shortening, but granted an initial 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.