Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves are granted at a 40 percent rating, but no higher, from March 31, 2022.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 6, 2009.,The Veteran also received eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 for the same effective date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and an increased rating for fibromyalgia have been denied. The claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was determined due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy disabilities were granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent, but no higher. The criteria for entitlement to these ratings have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's low back condition may be related to service or his service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings to the schedular maximum of 30 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, effective April 20, 2026. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbar disability is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 24, 2023 for the Veteran's 20% ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and his entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for cervical degenerative joint disease and cervical radiculopathy, as these issues are related to a previously service-connected lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions were rated at 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective May 24, 2022.,Prior to May 24, 2022, there is no evidence of an increase in severity for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition or lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including treatment records from VA medical centers and community based outpatient clinics. The AOJ will now readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica have been dismissed.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted from September 16, 2011.,The Veteran's SMC based on housebound criteria has been granted effective from March 13, 2024.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI disabilities are granted with initial ratings of 70 percent. IBS is granted effective August 21, 2014. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the previous VA examination, which did not discount the ameliorative effects of her pain medication. The case is also remanded for consideration of TDIU as part of the evaluation of her back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain new opinions addressing whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder resulted from in-service injury or service-connected disability, and whether it was caused by or a result of his service-connected knee and/or thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his disabilities do not meet the requirements of SMC under this section.