Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for sleep apnea and nummular dermatitis, eczema, but denied a higher disability rating for left foot metatarsalgia fracture, with Morton's neuroma, hammer toes, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, pes planus and degenerative arthritis, and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve to clarify the current symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as new and relevant evidence had not been received to support these claims.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including trochanteric pain syndrome and bursitis, degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear, and lumbar radiculopathy, all effective April 16, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral tinnitus. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. Other claims were either granted or remanded.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from February 20, 2013 to January 22, 2020, exclusive of a convalescence period. The other claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spondylosis, cervical spondylosis, and both lower extremity radiculopathies as they were not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board is remanding the claims for a compensable rating for right hip surgical scar, an increased rating for left hip limited extension, an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an increased rating for thoracic syrinx with degenerative disc disease due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the spinal fusion from March 1, 2011 to July 14, 2022, but denied a higher rating. The effective date of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted as of March 1, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and headache disability (migraines), but denied a higher rating for the back sprain.

The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure an adequate VA examination is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for spondylolisthesis lumbar facet arthrosis and sciatica, left and right lower extremities was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine spondylosis from September 23, 2013 and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy prior to December 16, 2013. Other claims were denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of his claims for increased ratings and service connection, with full understanding of the consequences.

The Board granted increased disability ratings for the service-connected back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, RLE sciatic radiculopathy, LLE sciatic radiculopathy, headache condition, and neck condition (manifested by pain with functional loss that can affect earning capacity).

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, as well as a 20 percent rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis with limitation of extension.

The Board granted increased ratings of 20 percent, the schedular maximum, for left ankle sprain and 40 percent for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis, while denying a compensable rating for right hallux valgus.