Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's diabetes and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent each. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder disability are all rated at the highest possible initial rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis is presumed to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hand arthritis, thoracic anterior wedge compression fracture, lumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, left leg radiculopathy, kidney stones, endocarditis, and Parkinson's disease are not granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent prior to February 6, 2025. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating as it only manifests in moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to accurately assess the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disabilities, specifically left and right wrist CTS with associated radiculopathy and nerve impingement. The remand requires obtaining supplemental VA medical opinions to address the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings of 40 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and 30 percent for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy from July 16, 2006 have been granted.

The Veteran's right and left leg radiculopathy are granted with a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2009. TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine and upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for all issues related to service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with stenosis and spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is required to be provided VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated sciatic nerve neuropathy in both legs are rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings of 20 percent for each leg. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, and his claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE radiculopathy, sciatic nerve are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's tension headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) are all granted as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims for these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's effective dates for the awards of a 40 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy and service connection for bilateral lower extremity femoral peripheral neuropathy have been granted as of June 26, 2023.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 7, 2018 for the award of service connection for a right lower extremity nerve condition (sciatic). This date is based on the Veteran's separation from active duty and his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2023, for total disability due to individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not clearly establish unemployability due to service-connected disabilities before this date and there was no formal claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, TBI, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, a skin condition, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellar instability, and bilateral shin splints are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.