Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded several of these claims due to new evidence received after the September 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Loss of Use of Both Feet with Sciatic and Femoral Nerve Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, have resulted in the permanent loss of use of both feet. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The reasons are that a VA examination was not conducted as required by law, and the issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since October 2011, warranting an effective date of October 31, 2011.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent disabling, reflecting moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU, have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as generalized anxiety disorder. The past due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision are eligible for direct payment of attorney fees at a rate of 20%. Service connection for GAD was not initially granted, so no fees can be paid from the July 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the date of onset and severity of his sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, chronic vertigo, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and evaluations for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to potential errors in the initial decision. The case will be remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection of sinusitis is dismissed. The appeals for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and migraine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings assigned for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, and painful scar from microdiscectomy were dismissed because he had already filed a pending supplemental claim regarding these issues.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are remanded for further examination to address the medical nexus between service and current diagnoses, as well as the significance of the Veteran's lay reports.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues related to his neck, arm, and hand conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of all four extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraines and right lower leg radiculopathy to include paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve-thigh are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for COPD is dismissed due to a prior decision granting asthma (which includes COPD) in full.