Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, and the appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions were dismissed as a matter of law due to concurrent elections.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to March 12, 2021. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, left knee scar, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of January 19, 2024 for the grant of service connection for various conditions including left and right lower extremity radiculopathies and a back condition.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with sciatica, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and active or reserve duty service.

The Board remanded the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers because the initial VA decision was conclusory and based on an incorrect interpretation of regulatory requirements for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction.' A new medical opinion must be obtained that properly applies the correct statutory criteria and addresses how the Veteran's diagnoses affect daily functioning.

The Board denied initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence showed mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for further development and adjudicative action, including providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional RO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, and low back disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of various conditions based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1995 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for migraines, cervical spinal stenosis, a scar on neck, and right ankle disability, as well as increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board granted restoration of the 30% rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, and cervical strain, as well as the 30% and 40% ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, respectively. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was denied.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from October 8, 2019, but his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied a rating more than 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and granted an effective date of April 12, 2022, for service connection for radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a right wrist disability, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after his military service. The claims for other disabilities were remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and higher initial evaluations for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, actinic keratoses, plantar fasciitis, basal cell carcinoma, and various musculoskeletal issues.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, while remanding the claims for low back, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU, but denied other claims related to earlier effective dates and burial expenses.