Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are dismissed as they constitute freestanding requests that cannot be entertained under current regulations.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 5, 2024, for service connection and evaluations of various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for a TDIU award and a 40% rating for back disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for these awards prior to July 25, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, as well as lumbosacral spondylosis of L5-S1 with arthritis, are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records dated since March 2020.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 17, 2020, was improper. The ratings are restored to 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, with muscle spasms; right elbow pain; and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy/ sciatica as secondary to the back disability have all been granted.

The Veteran's chronic lymphocytic leukemia is rated at 100 percent effective May 19, 2024. The impairment of sphincter control prior to May 19, 2024 is rated at 60 percent. The right lower and left lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity since service and no established link to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy were also denied as they are not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated neurology treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathies.

The Board has denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation given the current symptoms are consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine prior to April 30, 2024, remains denied. A 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy from April 30, 2024.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the condition does not require regulation of activities.,The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including diabetic neuropathy. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetic neuropathy was denied.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2004 for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability were reduced from their previous levels to lower ones effective August 8, 2023, August 5, 2023, and August 5, 2023 respectively. The appeals for restoration of these ratings are denied.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy disability was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent effective August 8, 2023. This reduction is based on actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent effective August 5, 2023. The reduction is due to actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective August 5, 2023. This reduction is based on actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.