Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance, while remanding the issue of service connection for a seizures disorder.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy from May 20, 2024, to February 1, 2025, and remanded the claims for increased ratings for limitation of right hip extension, flexion, abduction, and sciatic radiculopathy.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals on April 28, 2025.

The Board granted an increased rating from 20 percent to 40 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supports a rating of 40 percent based on moderate severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy to ensure that the Veteran is notified about their right to a hearing with the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), finding that his symptoms were no worse than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, preclude locomotion without the aid of a walker, warranting eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased disability ratings and higher initial disability ratings, leading to their dismissal.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hypertension and granted an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from April 13, 2022. The effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted as May 10, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to inconsistent information regarding the nerve branches affected by the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from February 28, 2018 to June 18, 2024 and denied a higher rating thereafter. The Board also granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder effective December 1, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 11, 2018, for a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's period of military service or his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorders, polycythemia vera, and hand and finger disorders as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff strain, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for various disabilities and granted earlier effective dates for service connection of scars, but denied an earlier effective date for individual unemployability.