Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and service connection was denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not characterized by ankylosis, and there is no evidence of bilateral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy has been granted with an effective date of May 3, 2017.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 has also been granted with an effective date of July 19, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and individual unemployability are remanded due to the failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may impact the analysis of whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity have been granted at a 30 percent rating from July 10, 2020 to November 19, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 26, 2018, for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted. The rating assigned is 40 percent.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and musculocutaneous nerve is currently rated at 20 percent, which aligns with his request for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back disability and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is remanded for further review of some issues.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with sacroiliitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted effective October 14, 2008. The issues of TDIU and DEA are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot, left ankle, right ankle, neck disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and OSA have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, cholecystectomy with residuals, small bowel resection with residuals, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals were dismissed for temporomandibular joint condition.,Service connection was established for all other conditions on a direct basis due to their onset during service or being directly caused by pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran did not continuously pursue the issue of an increased rating following the July 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the issues related to tinnitus, left chronic knee pain, right chronic knee pain, chronic right foot pain with arthritis and/or neuropathy/numbness, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was improper, as there is evidence indicating these conditions were incurred during service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from May 19, 2017 to June 4, 2017 as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now receiving a 20% rating for his peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, incomplete paralysis of the anterior crural and interior saphenous nerves bilaterally, and partial ratings for other affected nerves.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to September 6, 2023 is being remanded due to insufficient development and need for a new opinion from a qualified examiner.

The appeal for service connection of a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity is dismissed as it has been granted by the RO.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to right knee degenerative arthritis and obesity is granted.