Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The asthma claim is denied as it was preexisting and not aggravated by service.,Service connection for a lumbosacral strain is granted due to an in-service injury during ACDUTRA, with the Veteran's current disability being causally related to that injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, sleep disturbances, a right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, allergic rhinitis, and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis in the left knee. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The current assigned rating of 40 percent is appropriate as the evidence does not show symptoms equivalent to severe incomplete paralysis, which would warrant a 60 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in the adjudication process. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and a thorough review of all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and various peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings. Effective August 16, 2023, the Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU rating and DEA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves) with a rating of 40 percent effective May 7, 2021. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted service connection on the same date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for instability, a low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rhinitis, and sinusitis, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied higher ratings. The Veteran's back condition was rated based on the degree of flexion, with no unfavorable ankylosis noted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for a groin condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with adjustment disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, effective May 23, 2025. Prior to this date, the Veteran's claim was denied due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD and central canal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the appellant's current disability is at least as likely caused by his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, finding that the appellant's symptoms are related to his military service.,Service connection is also denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and gout, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2017. The effective date for the TDIU is set at December 12, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for a left thumb disability and bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of current evidence showing these conditions.,For lumbar spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy, the claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that it most nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of left fibula.

The Veteran is granted a higher evaluation rating of 70 percent for PTSD with an effective date of January 30, 2020.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic) and left lower extremity (sciatic), are both granted service connection with effective dates of January 30, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.