Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the grant of service connection and the subsequent denial of an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 27, 2020 were denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for spondylolisthesis (claimed as back condition) is maintained, while the initial ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also maintained.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, restless leg syndrome, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart disability to include cardiac arrythmia, right hand disability, TBI, bilateral eye disability as secondary to TBI, and vertigo as secondary to TBI are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran on all issues.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, GERD, liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sciatica was not incurred in service.

Service connection for lumbar spine disability, urinary incontinence associated with lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity anterior crural nerve radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity ilio-inguinal nerve radiculopathy has been granted.,The effective date for these grants is October 21, 2019.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, effective April 26, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance from another person on a regular basis to protect him from hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, which has been determined based on the evidence of record. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity ulnar nerve neuropathy disabilities are now rated at 70% and 60%, respectively, for severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right and left upper extremity median nerve radiculopathy disabilities are now rated at 50% and 40%, respectively, due to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sciatica, right lower extremity as secondary to a lumbar condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event or disease that may be related.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lower back strain, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, and obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed.,An increased rating of 40 percent, but not higher, has been granted for chronic urinary tract infection to include urge incontinence (previously claimed as frequent urination) from October 15, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no significant change in his symptoms within the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right leg condition has been withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his left knee disorder has been dismissed as the claim was submitted more than one year after the November 2023 decision.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a noncompensable disability rating for limitation of extension in the left knee have been dismissed due to lack of timely submission within one year following the November 2023 decision.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, femoral nerve, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve have been dismissed due to lack of timely submission within one year following the November 2023 decision.

The Board has ordered a remand for the issue of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination. The appellant is seeking service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, which was granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that there were no reliable test results to support a higher rating for the bilateral hearing loss disability, and the Veteran's migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the July 24, 2023 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for Bell's palsy and remanded the low back, radiculopathy, elbow, knee, and pes planus claims due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.