Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for post-surgery LUE injury is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding causation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent, and his right and left upper extremity radiculopathy were each granted increased ratings of 40 and 30 percent respectively. The TDIU claim is considered moot due to the combined disability rating reaching 100 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depression, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected low back with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and right hip disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's attorney is eligible for past-due benefits awarded in the February 27, 2025 rating decision due to filing a supplemental claim requesting review of initial ratings.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have resulted in persistent bleeding, and he has been in receipt of the maximum schedular rating available for the condition.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has not been productive of penile deformity.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis/degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's request for additional VR&E equipment purchases and other services under a program of independent living services, including a riding lawnmower, power tools, attending school far from home, childcare, and a vehicle, was denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered further development to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of an orthognathic surgery with jaw pain is granted. From June 1, 2012 to October 6, 2019, a 20 percent rating for her lower back condition is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied from October 7, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on secondary aggravation and a need for new examination. The Veteran's conditions are related to her time in active service, but the exact nature of the relationship is unclear.

The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain relevant private medical records for the cervical spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right hip disability, and left hip disability.,The AOJ failed to undertake appropriate efforts to obtain these records prior to issuance of the December 24, 2019, or January 24, 2020, AOJ decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the earliest available effective date is July 24, 2023, the date of receipt of his claim.

The Veteran's RUE and LUE radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, effective June 7, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment/mood disorder, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and neurogenic bladder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuralgia peripheral nerves sciatic right, left, and vertigo are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to an allowance for an automobile and/or other conveyance or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and increased rating for back disability are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, which he contends is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions, and thus denied the reduction requests for his service-connected disabilities.