Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's back disability and ensure the examination is adequate in light of the Court's holding in Correia v. McDonald.

The appeal for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy was dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted in full.

The Board granted service connection for functional abdominal pain syndrome, a headache disorder, dyspnea, left elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for verruca vulgaris and bilateral hand scars. The Board remanded the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 20, 1969 for the award of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hip conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The appeal for bilateral hip disabilities was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 29, 2008, for service connection of the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and remanded initial rating matters for further development.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with adjustment disorder and depressed mood, effective September 7, 2020.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and restored a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for increased rating evaluations and effective dates was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) that was not signed by the Veteran or his authorized representative within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to render him unable to physically care for himself, thereby granting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right lower extremity sciatic nerves, as secondary to lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (DJD spondylolisthesis L-5 S1), radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, paralysis of the ulnar nerve, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, left ankle tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, pituitary macroadenoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and renal failure.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) prior to November 13, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) beginning November 13, 2020.