Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for cervical strain with spinal stenosis and cervical spondylosis, right shoulder strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an April 8, 2014, rating decision.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded other claims related to obstructive sleep apnea, bladder condition, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for sciatica, lumbar strain, and bilateral hip disability as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l 1/2) rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. � 1114(p), subject to any statutory or regulatory cap.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the 20 percent evaluation of intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain, as well as service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for service-connected conditions related to the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbosacral strain, and right hand scars, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, tension headaches, shoulder bursitis, foot plantar fasciitis, ankle tendonitis, thumb strain, and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder. The Board also remanded claims for fatigue, CFS, sleep apnea, and amputated left little finger.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limited flexion and restored the 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limitation of abduction and rotation. The other claims were denied.

The Board granted an effective date of February 13, 2020, for service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, hearing loss, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary causation to active service.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the same condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for binge eating disorder and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with instability.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for right and left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and reinstated the 40 percent rating for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to November 4, 2021, and a 50 percent rating for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity. The claims for higher ratings were denied.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection and disability ratings, dismissing all claims.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, left hip condition, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, back condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot/toe conditions.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and a 30 percent rating for the left, but remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) to ensure compliance with the duty to assist.