Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and associated radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities are granted at a 40 percent rating prior to December 27, 2023, and denied for ratings in excess of this level from that date.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of both lower extremities is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant private medical records. The AOJ will consider these records when readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the permanent loss of use of his left foot and upper right extremity, allowing for entitlement to an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the service-connected lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board is now remanding this issue for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to asbestos during TERA.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatic nerve pain (back pain right) and vertigo have been dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in subsequent decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in August 2024.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and C8-T1 radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities prior to November 22, 2022.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding past-due benefits awarded in the March 20, 2023 rating decision. The matter is being returned for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of specific issues by his representative.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and right carpal tunnel syndrome ratings have been denied. The Board found the reduction in rating for allergic rhinitis from 10 percent to noncompensable was not proper, restoring the 10 percent rating effective October 1, 2022.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathy conditions of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The AOJ has assigned separate evaluations based on the severity of each nerve condition, with some increases in rating effective October 29, 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirements for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because he was not continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lower back condition, right lower extremity S-1 radiculopathy sciatica, and left lower extremity S-1 radiculopathy sciatica. The decision found that there was no nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and the case is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy effective May 24, 2023. The Veteran's disability arose prior to the date of his initial claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 9, 2020 for the initial service connection awards and a rating of 20% for CRPS, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, and neck strain have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.