Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies are granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for low back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, sinusitis as due to chemical exposure, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, finding moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, finding that the evidence of record did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and TDIU are granted effective March 6, 2019.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death from prostate cancer.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 6833. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with L5 spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5243. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 8520. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 8520. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 10, 2021, but no earlier, for a 40 percent initial rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis has been granted. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of the formal claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral sciatica due to duty-to-assist errors, inadequate VA medical opinions, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the Board hearing.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy rating from 0% to 10%, effective March 24, 2021. The reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the disability.

The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, but the Board has determined that remand is necessary to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for effective dates earlier than August 15, 2016, for service connection of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic). The VA must obtain missing VistA records from non-VA providers through the Community Care Network.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence at the time of the May 2022 rating decision. The claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8510.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and low back condition. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his GERD, allergic rhinitis, IVDS, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder renders him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, but his other physical disabilities prevent him from needing such assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbarization of S1, as well as her sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to their association.