Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 27, 2016. The TDIU is based on the combined disability ratings of his service-connected conditions: lumbar radiculopathy rated at 40%, migraine headaches rated at 30%, and hemorrhoids rated at noncompensable.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and has remanded the issues regarding lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bladder and/or bowel disorder related to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for PFB. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo examinations as directed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a dental disability, left knee pain, or lumbar disability as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The appeal for the right hip condition is dismissed as it has been withdrawn. The claims of low back disability, bilateral knee disability, BLE radiculopathy, and left shoulder condition are denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve impairment) is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve impairment) is currently rated at 40 percent. These ratings are granted from March 1, 2017, to April 3, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, cervical spine disability, gastric/duodenal ulcer, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 22, 2012.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been granted service connection with a 20% rating effective February 26, 2020. The ratings are subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial disability rating of 10 percent was maintained for the lumbosacral strain, and a higher rating of 20 percent was granted from January 30, 2024 onwards.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from September 25, 2023, as there is no evidence of material improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 14, 2005 for SMC based on housebound status is granted. The decision finds that the Veteran has a single disability rated as total (left knee disability via extraschedular TDIU from February 25, 2005) and separate service-connected disabilities ratable at a combined 60 percent disabling (acquired psychiatric disorder at 70 percent from July 14, 2005), as required by the law.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 7, 2016 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including diabetes mellitus and its manifestations, kidney failure, bilateral lower extremity amputations, and CHF.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 6, 2022. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain, granting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU as it was previously granted. The claims of increased ratings for LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, and IBS are denied. The claim for a separate rating for RLE radiculopathy of the internal popliteal nerve is remanded.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of cervical spine DDD and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board finds that the claims are not eligible for an earlier effective date due to lack of timely filing or receipt of new and material evidence.,The effective date for service connection is determined based on when entitlement arose, which in this case is March 6, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his lumbar strain is denied. The claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are granted, but the claim for service connection for stomach or gastrointestinal disability (to include gastroparesis, peptic ulcer disease, and esophageal varices) is remanded, as is the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and awarded a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent initial evaluation for service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve condition.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent, effective from August 21, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated moderate radicular symptoms.