Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) have been granted effective from June 10, 2021.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has also been granted effective from June 10, 2021.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right sciatic radiculopathy have been granted at a 20 percent level, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on the lumbar spine, RLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and hypertension has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for his spouse, finding that she did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a) due to her ability to leave the house with assistance.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in August 2018 are insufficient and remands these claims for additional evaluations to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities were incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity nerve conditions, low back disability, right-side sciatica, and left-side sciatica. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to his in-service injury, with a continuity of symptomatology since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and bicep atrophy due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will provide additional evaluations to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the ameliorative effects of medication.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS status post compression fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.,Service connection has been granted for abnormal renal function, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, prostate condition, and hernia due to exposure to toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) in service.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities (sciatic nerve) have been denied. The Board has found the evidence does not support a finding of more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to right shoulder labral tear due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's spinal canal stenosis, lumbar region, severe, lumbosacral spondylosis with radiculopathy is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings with the right foot receiving a 30% rating, the lumbar spine a 40%, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving femoral nerve and sciatic nerve each receiving a 20%, and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving femoral and sciatic nerves each receiving a 60%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted effective from August 16, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either alone or in combination, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience for the appeal period prior to May 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metabolic myopathy with bladder disability rated at 60 percent disabling since January 16, 2008, and cerebrovascular accident rated at 100 percent disabling from August 23, 2017 through March 1, 2018, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disorder with radiculopathy, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims of these conditions are based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased disability ratings and TDIU, including consideration of new private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, shoulder disability, radiculopathy, hip disability, sinusitis, and deviated septum.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed. The appeals for COPD, lumbosacral strain, non-allergic rhinitis, left wrist sprain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are denied. Service connection requests for CFS, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for cervical condition and lower back condition are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of this condition.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the highest rating available under applicable diagnostic codes for moderate impairment. The Board finds that a disability rating of 20 percent is warranted.