Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death due to a vehicular accident, which was primarily caused by the driver's negligence and poor visibility conditions.

The appeal seeking to establish entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is dismissed because the AOJ decision was merely implementing a Board's earlier effective date decision for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy and cervical radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show more than mild incomplete paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective from February 28, 2025.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity, is rated at 40 percent and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are already at the maximum schedular rating of 50%.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip strain as secondary to lumbosacral strain have been granted. The claim for left hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerves of the thigh, ilioinguinal nerves, and obturator nerves was not shown prior to August 15, 2019. Effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected ankles, knees, and back have been granted initial 20 percent disability ratings.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip disability and other conditions like atrial fibrillation, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. He has been granted a total disability rating and statutory special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate VA examination to evaluate the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right knee disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as there was no in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve were each granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective from the date service connection was awarded (March 2, 2024).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues related to erectile dysfunction and bowel dysfunction.

For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, effective January 12, 2024. Attorney fees are eligible based on past due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and thus remands the case to obtain addendum medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for sleep apnea, an earlier effective date for PTSD, and a disability evaluation for radiculopathy of all RUE radicular groups. The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to lack of proper filing or because the issues were moot.