Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the initial grants of service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and denied increased ratings for radiculopathy and a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and remanded initial rating claims, except for an effective date of April 25, 1999, for left knee disability.

The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 40 percent disabled for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective October 10, 2022.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 17, 2011, for the 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right leg sciatica, finding that the Veteran's back disability caused his obesity, which in turn led to his back disability (via intermediate step), and that his back disability is also directly related to his hypertension. The right leg sciatica was found to be secondary to the back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 20, 2019, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to the need for a new medical opinion.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy from May 15, 2015 through October 22, 2020 and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from October 23, 2020. However, it granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 26, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for two hernia residual scars, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar disorder, and ratings in excess of 20, 30, and 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and a left upper extremity disability (ulnar nerve) respectively.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, back disability, and upper extremity radiculopathy, due to inadequate development of the record.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 5, 2019, for a 40 percent disability rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy and a 40 percent disability rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a higher rating for cervical stenosis was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to a need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for sinusitis but remanded the issues related to lumbosacral strain and leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied initial ratings higher than 10 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy prior to December 18, 2015, but granted them from December 18, 2015 to November 19, 2020. The appeal also remanded the entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and remanded service connection claims for radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve in both lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for GERD with hiatal hernia and esophagitis, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for service connection for cervical spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, osteoarthritis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, a left hip condition, and a right eye injury to include double vision. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to December 13, 2021, and 20 percent from March 26, 2022, for left lower extremity radiculopathy (LLER).

The Board granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act and increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to a lack of evidence showing that any service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of lower extremities or other qualifying conditions.