Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as less likely related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation due to daily flare-ups resulting in painful forward flexion limited to 55 degrees, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is remanded as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of over 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) has an effective date prior to March 29, 2021.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) has an effective date prior to August 24, 2023.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) has an effective date of December 13, 2019.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) from December 13, 2019 to the present is rated at 20 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) from August 23, 2023 to the present is rated at 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) has a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and multiple limb nerve impairments, were denied. The Board found the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies are currently rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA regulations.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and left knee condition are all granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension, somatic symptom disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis have been granted with effective dates of February 16, 2023, and August 10, 2022 respectively. The remaining claims are denied.

The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for a right foot disability, basil cell carcinoma, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including a right foot disability. The Board grants SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to obtain private treatment records and provide VA examinations prior to adjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right sciatic intra-operative nerve injury with right foot drop is due to negligent VA care following a revision right total hip arthroplasty (THA) on November 19, 2020. The Board has determined that the proximate cause of this additional disability was negligence by VA personnel.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorders, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, COPD, GERD, gastroparesis, diverticulosis, rhinitis, OSA, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder have been granted. The claims are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to noise during service.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and its secondary disabilities, including peripheral vestibular disorders, 5th cranial nerve, 7th cranial nerve, 10th cranial nerve, 11th cranial nerve, bilateral upper extremity radial nerves, bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerves, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The effective date for these benefits is June 18, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with paravertebral muscle spasm and whether left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic radiculopathy as these conditions were granted on an inferred basis from a separate back disability.,The Board also dismissed the claims for service connection for asbestosis and acne, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spondylosis.,Service connection was also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, sciatica or lower extremity leg pain, hiatal hernia, residuals of ovarian tumor removal surgery including stomach pains, and stomach ulcers.