Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine disability and RUE radiculopathy was withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease, right hip, with bone graft residuals; right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve; and right lower radiculopathy of the femoral nerve due to a need for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability and cervical spine disability, and denied higher ratings for some disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and denied ratings in excess of 20, 30, and 40 percent for the right shoulder disability from March 2, 2015, to June 14, 2023, and April 22, 2025, respectively.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and increased ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, except for a 40 percent rating from March 28, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with postoperative meniscal tear was granted an increased rating from 10 percent to 40 percent, but no higher, effective May 18, 2016. Other claims were denied.

The appeal for service connection of right sciatic radicular pain parasthesia of the right leg and a right lower leg scar was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and sciatica due to a duty to assist error, requiring an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the Veteran does not have a current disability. The claims for IBS, abdominal pain syndrome, respiratory insufficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, weakness/lack of coordination of legs, an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep disturbances, left hip, and right hip disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and burial benefits due to a lack of evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathies to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the May 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 17, 2019, for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and remanded his claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sleep apnea syndrome, and right knee condition but granted service connection for dermatosis. The Veteran's asthma was also not rated compensably prior to July 21, 2023.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, prior to March 18, 2025, but denied a compensable rating for hypothyroidism with malignant neoplasm of the thyroid (in remission).

The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in VA not obtaining potentially relevant outstanding evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate ratings and a higher disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for multiple acquired psychiatric and physical disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left shoulder strain, degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.