Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to actinic keratosis, which is a progression of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the face was denied earlier than October 20, 2022.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, from March 9, 2021. The other issues were remanded for further consideration.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, involvement of the sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities for a new VA examination and etiological opinion due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from January 15, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another person, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board grants service connection for a neck condition, left and right arm radiculopathy as secondary to the neck condition, a low back condition, left and right leg radiculopathy as secondary to the low back condition, a headache condition as secondary to the neck condition, and a right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is granted a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities to obtain an adequate etiological opinion.

The Board granted an effective date of February 9, 2022, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from November 20, 2012, and a TDIU from the same date to May 19, 2022. The claims for earlier effective dates for hypertension and tension headaches were denied.

The Board granted service connection for left and right shoulder strains, left and right hip conditions, cervical strain, and secondary radiculopathies of the upper extremities. It denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right total knee arthroplasty, a compensable rating for right knee surgical scar under Diagnostic Code 7802, and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning October 29, 2008, and the earlier effective date claims for service connection were either dismissed or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy for the entire period on appeal. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted prior to February 13, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability, to include left knee joint osteoarthritis on an aggravation basis and for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claim for a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS was denied.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected back condition, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy from March 6, 2017.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and a 20 percent rating for left, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left, right femoral radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle and knee disabilities were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for right and left cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's back disability, but remanded claims for cervical strain and left knee strain.