Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities as there was no more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected residuals, slight wedging of thoracic vertebra VIII, traumatic. The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar radiculopathy is not related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for painful linear surgical scars of the anterior trunk, suprapubic and midline abdominal region is dismissed as her initial claim was not appealed within one year.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied because she did not continuously pursue the issue or file a supplemental claim prior to April 10, 2024.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for further development, including a VA peripheral nerves examination.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent and denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance from May 14, 2025 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him in regular need of aid and assistance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, with instructions to discount any ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military service, as there was no evidence of auditory damage during service. The left knee disability is also not related to military service.,The Veteran's left hip disability, lumbar disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and cesarean section scar were not related to military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy are each rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy. The Board finds that these conditions are of a nature and severity that rendered the Veteran unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 8, 2023, due to his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound from June 8, 2023, as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable above 60%.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and vertebral fracture, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are being remanded due to a failure to consider private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral lower extremity femoral and sciatic radiculopathies, as well as for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right inguinal hernia status post surgical repair is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left heel spur and plantar fasciitis, status post surgical repair is granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU, DEA, and SMC for statutory housebound during the period beginning January 31, 2023. His tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (Aid and Attendance) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC (Housebound Status) was also denied as he did not have a single 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, abdominal scars, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and low back scar are all granted effective June 3, 2016. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU and DEA based on his service-connected disabilities.