Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, chronic diarrhea (IBS), and sleep apnea with asthma have all been denied. The effective dates for these conditions are September 1, 2022.,An earlier effective date of September 1, 2023, has been granted for the award of service connection for hypertension, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2025. The Board granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 5, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC was denied as his need for aid and attendance is already covered by the current rate, and he does not meet criteria for additional rates based on blindness or loss of use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and sciatic nerve damage as secondary to back pain due to a lack of VA examination in connection with these issues. The Veteran contends he injured his back during active service, which may be related to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate examination, which may affect the rating assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the September 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for low back arthritis, left knee arthritis, and left hip arthritis. The issues of service connection for sciatic nerve pain, high blood pressure, and right arm skin cancer are remanded due to the failure to obtain VA examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his service-connected anemia, lumbar spine arthritis with IVDS, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for upper extremity radiculopathy and restless leg syndrome have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.,For the bilateral eye disability, the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, effective from June 2023. Separate ratings for neuralgia and neuritis in addition to the service-connected left lower radiculopathy sciatic are denied.

The Veteran's back, diabetes, and nerve disabilities are remanded for further development as the VA has not obtained all relevant records.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent, effective August 28, 2023.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with arthritis and strain, as well as radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, both effective September 1, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain, right sciatic radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and left hip strain as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye keratoconjunctivitis and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with piriformis syndrome are granted, effective as of July 2, 2023.

The Veteran's DMII and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have not required regulation of activities or hospitalizations for ketoacidosis, thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU for the period prior to July 31, 2008, finding that he was not rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted with a 40 percent rating from May 20, 2022 to May 2, 2024. The TDIU claim was denied.