Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history. A total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's radiculopathy evaluations, but the claim for DEA benefits is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain and related disabilities, including PTSD, are granted effective April 11, 2024. The Veteran also received a 50% rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, gunshot wound residuals, lumbar spine issues, hypothyroidism, sciatica, hypertension, scars, and other conditions. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain and lumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been established.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for TDIU as his mental health conditions, rather than his service-connected disabilities, were the primary cause of his inability to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral restless leg syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, lumbosacral strain (claimed as pain of lumbar spine), left sciatic radicular pain, right sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the hands, chronic headaches, coronary heart disease, dermatosis hands, functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral restless leg syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, lumbosacral strain (claimed as pain of lumbar spine), left sciatic radicular pain, right sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the hands, chronic headaches, coronary heart disease, dermatosis hands, functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was not before it in its August 2024 decision. The case is now remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in a November 27, 2024 rating decision. However, due to an error in not documenting these past-due benefits, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's back disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Right ankle sprain is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Restless leg syndrome of the left leg is remanded due to lack of a proper examination and opinion.,Restless leg syndrome of the right leg is remanded for similar reasons.

Service connection for IBS is granted. The claims for initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscal tear, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent disability ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve are granted, effective October 30, 2012. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of January 8, 2015.,Effective January 8, 2015, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance due to his permanent total disability status.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is granted a 40 percent disability rating effective June 9, 2023. The claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity remains denied.

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD is denied as there was no evidence of symptomatology warranting such a rating prior to May 19, 2024.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied as the record does not show worsening symptoms within one year before December 31, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities are denied as there was no evidence of such conditions within a year prior to December 31, 2021.,There is no effective date earlier than December 31, 2021, for any of these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the ratings for radiculopathy of both upper extremities are denied. The appeal is not about service connection but rather about rating determinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development to determine its nature and etiology, including consideration of in-service events and symptoms.