Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The appeal of the proposed reduction in disability rating for lumbar decompression and fusion with lumbosacral strain is dismissed. The Veteran's initial higher disability ratings for sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities are denied, but he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with cervical spondylosis, right sciatic nerve disability, and left sciatic nerve disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is March 1, 2007.,However, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy claim remains pending and requires further review to determine its effective date.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2015 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is now rated at 60 percent effective July 24, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but his service-connected persistent depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, hypothyroidism, alopecia, and solar urticaria. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disorder.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for gastroenteritis, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee strain and hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a lumbosacral strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right knee strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must obtain all outstanding private medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, and dorsalgia, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are now granted service connection. The effective dates for these grants have not been established due to the lack of a prior claim.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, lower back condition, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show levels of impairment sufficient to increase the ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection for RLE radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's hypertension and left knee scar are not rated compensably. The claims for increased ratings for right great toe degenerative disease and left great toe degenerative disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Erectile Dysfunction, and Bladder Cancer in remission. Effective dates have been set for these awards as of July 14, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, along with moderate neuralgia of the sciatic nerves in both legs, have been granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.