Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to errors in considering medication effects and other issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy based on new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and an increased rating for further development, specifically addressing a duty to assist error related to proper notice under VCAA.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period on appeal, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) level and a higher level of SMC at the (r)(1) level from December 28, 2017, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the issues for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, granted a 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and remanded several other claims including those for increased ratings for various disabilities and TDIU.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve disability from July 24, 2023, as the Veteran's condition was found to be mild and did not evidence moderate nerve damage.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a depressive disorder, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as higher ratings for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities and scars.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and entitlement to individual unemployability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding missing private medical records.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination and retrospective opinion due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for LLE radiculopathy effective April 9, 2021, and an earlier effective date of November 15, 2017, for the award of service connection of LLE radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and left lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and disabilities manifested by functional impairment due to right and left knee pain with limited flexion as secondary conditions. The claims for increased ratings were remanded.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 14, 2015, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board granted an effective date of May 2, 2022, for the grant of service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and headache disabilities.