Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 6, 2022, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain have been dismissed.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy disabilities (left and right lower extremities) have been granted effective from May 19, 2010. Effective dates for the initial increased ratings of sciatic radiculopathy are set at June 4, 2021, with a temporary increase to 20 percent for femoral radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve due to a duty to assist error regarding the effects of medication on the Veteran's disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's thoracic spine endplate spondylosis, degenerative disc space narrowing L5-S1 and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current 20 percent levels.

The appeal concerning the revisions of evaluations for various conditions and special monthly compensation has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease with dialysis, diabetic peripheral neuropathies of various extremities, erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and bilateral knee replacements, do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was no qualifying exposure to toxic environmental exposures during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person effective February 26, 2025.

The appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and compensation for birth defect in child is dismissed.,The appeal regarding increased disability ratings for a right knee condition prior to August 26, 2024 is dismissed.

The Veteran's back scars are rated at a noncompensable level due to the scars not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted with a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as the October 2022 examination report is not fully adequate to decide the appeals. The AOJ should obtain a medical opinion clarifying the severity of the Veteran's disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication, and an examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether there was aggravation during service and if the lumbar spondylosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and failed back surgery syndrome had onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, which is considered moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for chronic scalp folliculitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations as needed.