Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings of 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU. The depression was denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various disabilities and conditions, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, left lower extremity scar associated with the left ankle disability, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right eye disability, prostate disability, urinary disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica to correct a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but granted a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities from July 1, 2007, to May 10, 2010.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 40 percent for post-surgical degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine but granted earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for syncope was also granted. However, the claim for hypertensive heart disease was denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back condition, but granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy impacting the sciatic nerves from July 11, 2010. The ratings for other conditions were also denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date in relation to the service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with thoracic strain, spinal stenosis, thoracic disc herniation, foraminal narrowing, and bilateral uncovertebral spurring was dismissed. The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves were granted at 40% and 30%, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for higher ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and lumbosacral strain, as the earliest date VA received his intent to file a claim was November 30, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right elbow disability. It also granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right hip strain painful motion, 20 percent for left hip strain with cam deformity, and 20 percent for right knee limitation of flexion.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from December 28, 2021, and granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to UTSRD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with thoracic strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure that the RO considers both the old and new criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions but granted restoration of a 10 percent rating for right hip iliotibial band syndrome, limitation of extension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board granted an effective date of July 6, 2017 for the award of service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and a 40 percent rating from that date for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and central canal stenosis.

The Board remands the claims for increased evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities to obtain a new VA examination that considers the ameliorative effects of medication on the conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy based on the Veteran's credible reports of continuous symptoms since active service.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability in any of them.