Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was granted at a 20% disability rating effective May 20, 2025. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral. The Veteran's claims are also granted for a 60 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic.

The Veteran's service-connected fecal incontinence is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if he also has hemorrhoids secondary to his fecal incontinence. Other claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss were denied, while the claim for restoration of a rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted but not restored due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine spondylosis has been granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective June 20, 2023. The decision also grants increased ratings for the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and left ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back conditions and her service connection claim. The VA will obtain a new opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding right upper extremity, cervical radiculopathy and an increased disability rating for service-connected cervical spine strain.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with sacroiliac sprain was granted a 40 percent rating effective November 5, 2023.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities (sciatic nerve) was also granted effective November 5, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis with cervical strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left leg varicose veins have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, and RLE sciatic radiculopathy. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, and RLE sciatic radiculopathy as these conditions are considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting its onset during or shortly after military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that the medical evidence is inadequate to determine the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of his application. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered them unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted their TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, and thyroid condition, all secondary to ionizing radiation exposure in service.

The Board has granted past-due benefits for an increased rating and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, which were awarded following a March 2023 supplemental claim. The appellant is eligible to receive attorney fees based on these past-due benefits.

The Board has determined that the VA's improper revocation of the Veteran and his spouse's eligibility for the PCAFC program was unjustified, and thus restored their basic eligibility.