Radiculopathy & sciatica
Radiculopathy and sciatica are nerve conditions usually claimed as secondary to a back disability, rated by the severity of nerve impairment.
Across 7,129 real Board appeals for Radiculopathy & sciatica
71% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 17%
- Partly granted 32%
- Remanded 22%
- Denied 22%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Radiculopathy & sciatica was linked to service:
- Direct service connection2,767
- Secondary to another service-connected condition340
- Reopened with new & material evidence117
How it’s rated, in practice
When Radiculopathy & sciatica was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 100% (431)
- 20% (372)
- 40% (332)
- 10% (133)
- 30% (106)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- PACT Act42
- Gulf War38
- Agent Orange / herbicides16
- Camp Lejeune water14
- Burn pits & airborne hazards8
Real decisions
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral lower radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerve) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition, as well as a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine myofascial sprain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 2, 2023, for the grant of service connection for various conditions and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.