Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that February 25, 2016 was the earliest date on which the evidence showed he had a condition manifesting as radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability as secondary to the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with thoracic strain.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC, but denied an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful limitation of flexion of the right knee, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, fracture, right patella, postoperative, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for TDIU based solely on a single service-connected disability and SMC at the housebound rate are also remanded.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with disc protrusions, and various secondary conditions.

The Board granted service connection for mild broad-based disc bulge L4-L5 resulting in mild central canal stenosis pain of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, but denied service connection for restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulitis, and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis, and tinea versicolor.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, GERD, and IBS as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while other claims for increased ratings were denied or partially granted.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as there was a full grant of benefits in a subsequent rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for IVDS, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic and femoral nerves), and increased the rating for PTSD and claustrophobia to 70 percent. The right knee condition and erectile dysfunction were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for COPD from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 9, 2023, for the award of service connection and increased rating.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with strain and radiculopathy, right lower extremity as secondary to the lumbar condition.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 21, 2010 for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an increased 60 percent disability rating for radiculopathy in both the right and left lower extremities, effective May 15, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), while denying service connection for dermatitis, tremors of the right hand, and other conditions.

The Board remands the case for additional VA examinations to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for the Veteran's radiculopathy of both lower extremities, but denied earlier effective dates and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 22, 2015, for the award of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings.

The Board denied the appeal for initial increased disability evaluations in excess of 10 percent for both left and right sciatica, as well as earlier effective dates prior to December 13, 2017.