Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding no current disability related to this condition and thus not warranting service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in a July 2024 rating decision granting an increased PTSD rating and TDIU.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity femoral and sciatic radiculopathy are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is required to assess the current level of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and ear disability due to new evidence.,Service connection is not granted for these conditions as there is insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is found to have resulted from his in-service lower back condition, and service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as due to obesity, which is an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected lower back disabilities and her OSA. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it warrants a rating of 40 percent throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back disability (degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine) is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies (RLE and LLE sciatic radiculopathy) are granted as secondary to her back disability.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded due to a lack of verification of the TERA exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted effective from August 4, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, tinnitus, bilateral foot disability, frequent urination, lumbar disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions during or prior to the filing of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and a heart disability are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to errors in obtaining private treatment records and issues related to TDIU determination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, right ankle strain, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right-hand disability, congestive heart failure, allergic rhinitis, and type II diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on secondary service connection due to these conditions being caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted initial disability ratings, with a maximum rating of 40 percent for the low back disability as of April 2018.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild scoliosis is granted a rating in excess of 10 percent. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent. Service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted.

The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain. The claims for migraines and Meniere's disease are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 70% effective from February 11, 2010.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied.

This decision grants effective dates no earlier than July 17, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy (sciatic) of the right lower extremity, left hip strain (extension), a 10 percent rating for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, and right hip strain with impairment (extension).,An earlier effective date is granted based on the Veteran's Intent to File form submitted on July 17, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.