Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's cervical disorder, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis (cervical degenerative joint disease), mechanical cervical pain, foraminal stenosis/central stenosis, cervical sprain/strain, radiculopathy, and ankylosis of the cervical spine is granted.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are both granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 12, 2012. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are each currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 23, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within the one-year deadline following the July 2023 rating decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective from August 6, 2021. The decision also denied entitlement to increased ratings or TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board denied an increased rating.,Both his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board granted a 60 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, with a focus on PTSD. However, there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance as a result of these conditions or solely from PTSD. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The appeals of the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hearing loss, and vision loss have been withdrawn. The appeals of the denials of service connection for left shoulder disability, right hand disability, and right upper extremity CTS (claimed as radiculopathy) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The initial non-compensable ratings assigned for the conditions are upheld.

The Veteran's back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck disability are all granted as service-connected. The evidence supports the finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his inability to perform multiple activities of daily living and a need for supervision based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment. The decision also requires an evaluation of whether participation in the PCAFC program would be in the best interest of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence received since the last rating decision. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical records from non-VA providers.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,There is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain did not result in this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination and to obtain SSA records. The claims will be reconsidered with these additional pieces of evidence.

The Veteran's back disorder, BPH with LUTS, and cholecystectomy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective December 6, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for separate 20% ratings for left and right shoulder limitation of motion have been granted effective April 15, 2019. These were previously pending but not formally submitted until after the October 2015 rating decision became final.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings of sciatic and femoral radiculopathies, finding no pending claims or increase in severity during the year prior to January 9, 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in ratings for bilateral sciatic and femoral nerve conditions due to the restoration of the ratings by a later decision, rendering any further appeal moot.