Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are each granted initial ratings of 40 percent effective April 14, 2011.,Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 14, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder pain and degenerative disc disease. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The ratings for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, and right upper extremity radiculopathy lower radicular group are restored or maintained.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that the proper effective date is August 11, 2023.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating effective October 13, 2010. The appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right thigh disability separate and distinct from his already service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's reported right thigh pain is attributed to his service-connected radiculopathy.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder unspecified is granted with a 70 percent rating effective from December 8, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 40 percent rating effective from July 2, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury related to his current condition during service and there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology following service discharge. The Board also found insufficient evidence to warrant a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from November 21, 2019. The right hip disability service connection claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches, but denied service connection for low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, voiding dysfunction, GERD, hypertension, OSA, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been denied due to lack of factual evidence showing an increase in severity or onset prior to the specified dates.,Service connection has not been established for cervical spine bone spurs and degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left knee strain have been granted with an effective date of May 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions, including those related to secondary service connection. The claims will be reconsidered with new or updated evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requires new VA examinations addressing the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 20 percent disability rating. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and anxiety disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 10, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is each rated at 40 percent. The Board denied all claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC on account of being housebound was dismissed. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, finding that he requires assistance with various daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his principal cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded several claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including for new VA medical opinions on right wrist and knee conditions, right foot condition, right ankle condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, dry eye syndrome, lumbar spine condition, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he has been gainfully employed and his income exceeded the federal poverty level, thus meeting one of the economic components for a TDIU. The Board found that the non-economic component (ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment) is not met due to inconsistencies in the employer's statements regarding the Veteran's part-time vs full-time status.