Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to April 20, 2023, for service connection for a right shoulder disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and secondary service connection are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease from 60% to 30% was granted, and the effective date is set at November 28, 2023. The back disability claim remains denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve claim remains denied due to lack of moderate incomplete paralysis. The left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve claim has a granted effective date of November 28, 2023. The neurological impairment of the right foot due to stroke and right L5 radiculopathy associated with a stroke claim remains denied as there is no evidence of moderately severe incomplete paralysis. The stroke with neurological impairment of the right hand claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his eligibility for the Program for Comprehensive Assistance for Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to inadequate notice and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Board will adjudicate whether he meets criteria for personal care services, best interests of participation, and other pertinent criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that her back condition is currently rated at 20% disabling since June 28, 2023. The effective dates for the right knee scar and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for a back disability and a back scar have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for a back scar has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been granted with a 50 percent rating effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection, but the claims are being remanded due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions and the impact of medication.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted service connection and assigned a 20% rating effective April 18, 2023.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found the effective date of service connection for emphysema should be July 15, 2019, but did not assign a rating or effective date for other conditions.

The Veteran's combined 100 percent rating for her service-connected disabilities is restored, effective July 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is not related to his in-service treatment for sciatica or his toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). As a result, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy as proximately due to service connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the effects of medications on the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election. The claims were pending before the RO pursuant to an HLR request when VA received the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 30, 1984 for service connection for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims were pending since the Veteran filed his initial claim within a year of separation from service.