Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a rating more than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of thoracolumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted at a 40 percent level, effective March 23, 2023. The appeal is denied for earlier effective dates and other issues.

The Veteran's increased ratings for neck strain, back strain, and left upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities were granted effective January 29, 2025. He also received service connection for right upper and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities with the same effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for migraine headaches, but the other claims were either not granted or had their effective dates delayed.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with grade 1 spondylolisthesis L5-S1 and facet sclerosis left side.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding no legal merit in his arguments.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 14, 2022, for the 70 percent non-initial staged rating for service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 27, 2022, for service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 27, 2022, for service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2023, for the 10 percent non-initial staged rating for service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2023, for the 10 percent non-initial staged rating for service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition. The bilateral hearing loss and stroke residual condition are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, with effective dates of August 6, 2021.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his diabetes or radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical strain with IVDS and lumbosacral and thoracic strain, as well as service connection for LUE, LLE, and RLE radiculopathy were granted effective May 8, 2023.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also awarded based on the Veteran's combined 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective October 21, 2020.,Claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of 20 percent ratings for IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date of service connection for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatica have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective from February 8, 2017 to May 15, 2025. Effective May 15, 2025, the Veteran is assigned an 80 percent rating for his left lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not require regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 2008, leading to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis effective March 26, 2010. The effective date for DEA benefits was also granted as of March 26, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with these claims.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied as it is considered part of the original claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L2-L3 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the effects of medication on his disability levels.