Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), and radiculopathy right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), right shoulder condition, and flat feet. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a nonservice connected cervical spine disorder and service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative joint disease, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for left shoulder chronic strain is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his spine and lower extremity neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 3, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for a new VA examination to address his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased rating claims related to multiple conditions, including herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine, fibromyositis, and various nerve-related issues. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records from his period of active duty with the Navy Reserves. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and provide a formal finding of unavailability if they cannot be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis and no evidence of bowel or bladder involvement.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent.

The appeal as to the propriety of reducing disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis is granted. The appeals are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity is granted as August 24, 2012.

The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to May 1982 and then increased to 40 percent from March 5, 1982, to October 2022. From October 2022 to April 5, 2023, the Veteran's disability was rated at 60 percent. The Board has remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain has been granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The other peripheral neuropathy conditions are also rated at their respective levels.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the lack of a valid claim prior to February 23, 2021.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, based on sciatic nerve impairment, is granted with a disability rating of 40 percent effective from March 4, 2023. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, based on femoral nerve impairment, is also granted with a disability rating of 20 percent effective from March 4, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disorders and low back disorder, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board found that the combined effects of these conditions made it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as moot due to a March 2025 rating decision that granted service connection for other specified trauma and other stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder, effective May 2, 2024. The lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inconsistencies in the January 2022 VA examination reports and a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's intent when filing his Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ is directed to schedule new examinations, obtain retrospective medical opinions, and clarify the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during the relevant period on appeal.