Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran requires some help with daily activities, he does not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the left knee was granted. The claims for higher ratings for left knee patellar tendonitis and right knee strain were denied, as well as the claims for more than 10 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection for migraines was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and osteophytes of the cervical spine. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic nerve, and left hip flexion strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with IVDS.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression, recurrent is denied. The claims for service connection for right and left lower sciatica, hearing loss, and tinnitus are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with disc herniation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, left lower and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left shoulder fracture of proximal humerus, status post ORIF, liver condition, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied.,Effective August 21, 2023, the Veteran was granted effective dates for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, limitation of flexion; right hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, limitation of flexion; left hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, thigh, impairment of; and right hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, thigh, impairment of.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, right ankle disability, vertigo, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis for these conditions.,A remand has been ordered to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's chest pain.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to another medical condition with mixed features is granted a rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder are all granted.,Service connection for pain of lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for neck disorder, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, headache disorder, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims for TDIU were also denied.

The appeal for service connection for low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as moot. The appeals for service connection for piriformis syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and limitation of motion of the right hand fourth metacarpal are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent effective August 14, 2017.,Right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy was granted service connection with an effective date of August 14, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to inextricable interdependence.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for a right wrist scar and a right wrist muscle injury are warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and an increased rating for his service-connected PFB due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy were granted a rating of 40 percent, effective August 11, 2022. The onychomycosis was denied an initial higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service foot pain. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from August 31, 2013 to June 30, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to initial ratings for various conditions as the Veteran, through her authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the appeal.