Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board found that the discontinuance of SMC for LOU of both buttocks was proper because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for LOU of both buttocks.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability; right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with effective dates of November 4, 2024.,Effective from November 4, 2024, the Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, lumbar degenerative disc disease with associated lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for left hip strain and right hip strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the May 17, 2025, Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the November 29, 2019, rating decision that granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for arthritis, athlete's foot, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a left ankle disability, and scars.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for a lumbar disorder and the initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand is due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report, particularly regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are found to be related to service, with the current conditions being secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain (back conditions), left lower extremity pain, right lower extremity pain, left shoulder strain, and right hip pain. The evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain, and service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding her service-connected depression. She needs an examination to assess the impact of her depression on her ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's request for higher-level review was timely filed, despite being received more than one year after the notification of the September 2023 rating decision. This was due to good cause shown by the change in representation and the extension requested by the attorney.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 14, 2021. The Board denied an earlier effective date as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to the intent-to-file on that date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of November 22, 2022 for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The effective date is based on continuous pursuit of his increased disability rating claims and the fact that he meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant VA medical records from the San Juan VA Medical Center. The Veteran meets the schedular threshold for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 24, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical neck degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to a prior pending Supplemental Claim. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is granted, and he is also awarded increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are due to his active-duty military service.

The Board denied the appellant's requests for effective dates prior to April 6, 2020, for the awards of service connection for bulge of lumbar disc without myelopathy and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.