Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was capable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including left thumb, left wrist, right hip, back, and sciatic nerve conditions, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a neck condition, left shoulder condition, and right arm radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical strain.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and tinnitus, but remanded the issues of an increased rating for IVDS and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss was granted, while the claims for right ear hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine condition, cervical strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine disability to correct a duty to assist error, specifically requiring an adequate medical opinion that addresses all theories of entitlement.

The Board granted a restored 20% rating for lumbar strain, an increased 40% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a 40% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal regarding service connection for IVDS was dismissed as moot.

The appeal was denied because the Veteran did not timely file a Board Appeal request with respect to the rating decision issued on August 19, 2019.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and granted a 20 percent initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but did not grant an increased rating for somatic symptom disorder.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatica nerve radiculopathy from August 1, 2016, but denied a higher rating for the right lower extremity from June 27, 2018.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy beginning May 11, 2011, and denied a compensable rating for a lumbar spine scar associated with the service-connected low back disability.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to address trophic changes, gait changes, and the effects of medications on the Veteran's radiculopathy symptoms.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and neurocognitive disorder, but remanded other claims related to diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, headaches, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, left ankle disorder, chronic fatigue, prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, and more.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, and the Board dismissed the appeals.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, hypertension, a right hip condition, bilateral knee conditions, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, IBS, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The effective date of March 7, 2022, was granted for the award of service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, and November 18, 2021, was granted for GERD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.