Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for a higher initial rating for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy to ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his lumbar spine disability, which includes bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, effective January 1, 2017, and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the same date.

The Board remands the issues of higher disability evaluations for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and associated radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 14, 2022, due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the effects of medication on the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for IVDS with arthritis of the lumbar spine and thoracic scoliosis, a rating higher than 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the appeal for further development, including verification of periods of service and obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted it for sleep apnea. The rating for the low back disability was increased to 40 percent effective October 7, 2022.

The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and vertigo, as well as the requests for readjudication of the previously denied claims for a left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, bilateral eye pseudophakia, sinus disability, emphysema with left lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), skin disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are dismissed. The request for readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted in part as it was fully resolved by a June 2025 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity nerve disability, as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity were granted a rating of 30%, 40%, and 30% respectively, effective March 7, 2018.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims, including those related to various disabilities and service connection.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and a TDIU, dismissed an earlier effective date claim for LLER, and denied SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, while other service-connected conditions were denied higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error regarding notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent from October 1, 2018, to September 21, 2021, for the service-connected left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for the back, LLE sciatic radiculopathy, and RLE sciatic radiculopathy from July 27, 2018, but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeals for initial disability ratings and effective dates related to various conditions, including lumbar spine, sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder. The decision also granted a 60 percent rating for left knee arthroplasty from January 1, 2016.

The Veteran's GERD (claimed as stomach condition), left lower leg sciatic nerve, and right lower leg sciatic nerve were granted increased ratings of 30 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent respectively from February 19, 2018, to April 22, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeals for severance of service connection and denied a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied service connection for a neck condition, left arm radiculopathy, low back condition, left leg radiculopathy, and a right knee condition.