Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected upper and lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with no higher ratings being granted due to the current level of impairment. The Board found that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's sciatica and other peripheral nerve disorders are related to service, a separate service-connected disability, or obesity associated with diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating based on the lack of evidence supporting moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy, femoral nerve and sciatic nerve in the left lower extremity due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to February 14, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or functional impairment associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective January 10, 2024. The appellant is not entitled to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated polyradiculopathy disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran does not meet eligibility criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to his OCD being rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 9, 2014, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent rating effective August 31, 2022. The earlier effective date for this grant has been established as January 30, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted increased ratings, but the spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 19, 2021 for the appellant's service connection claims related to cervical and femoral radiculopathy. The decision also grants eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private medical records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and headaches as secondary to his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.,However, he remains denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran and his significant other are not eligible for benefits under the PCAFC program due to a lack of personal care services needs. The appeal is being remanded to allow for further evaluation by an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for the Veteran's left lower extremity (LLE) lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating given the mild involvement of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and his ability to independently ambulate.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for further adjudication, including determining whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PCAFC eligibility and if he requires personal care services.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of April 1, 2019.,Service-connected conditions include left and right wrist arthritis, hand conditions, back condition, lower extremity radiculopathy, OSA, and RLS.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, including cervicalgia and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's current cervical spine condition is considered to have begun during his active military service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals, neck injury) secondary to the service-connected cervical spine condition.