Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for a left knee condition, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of May 30, 2024.,The appeals for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed as they have already been granted in full.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, insomnia disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain, labyrinthitis with paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 20% disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and a compensable disability rating for the lumbar trunk scar.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, including radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current medical diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves have been granted with an effective date of March 29, 2010. The Board also found that the earlier effective dates of June 24, 2017, were correct.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and increased rating for IVDS have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as they were granted under direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to developmental errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disability, left and right lower extremity diabetic and lumbar radiculopathy involving the femoral and sciatic nerves is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for fatigue and hypertension is also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee painful extension, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, and lower back condition are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date, higher ratings, and TDIU due to a duty-to-assist error involving missing VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant private treatment records and provide new VA medical opinions addressing service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 7, 2011 for the service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knees, and LEFT ankle strain prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy do not meet the criteria for ratings in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520, as there is no evidence showing moderate or more severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent with additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is able to perform most of his activities of daily living independently.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.