Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves from August 27, 2024 forward due to a lack of an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, Hepatitis C and fatty liver, tinea versicolor with eczema, radiculopathy of the left and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date for TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's claims for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions, as well as related radiculopathy, were denied due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, as well as female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ from July 17, 2023. The Veteran's attorney representative is eligible to receive direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits resulting from this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to the grant of a higher disability rating in his August 2025 decision.

The reduction in rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.,The reduction in rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for SMC purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee conditions, and an intestinal condition (chronic diarrhea). The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy evaluation from 20 percent to 20 percent effective May 1, 2025 after finding that the reduction was improper due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various effective date claims and rating issues.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions have been presented to warrant a different decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, boxer's fracture left 5th metacarpal, or left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic diarrhea, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine have been granted. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a VA examination. The Board will schedule him for an examination and request a medical opinion regarding the likelihood of a current low back disability and/or lower extremity radiculopathy being incurred in or caused by service.

The appeal of the deferred issue of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected OSA is dismissed.,The appeal of an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates prior to July 25, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for his service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed because the April 10, 2025 rating decision was merely implementing a prior Board decision.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2021, for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Board has granted effective dates of January 31, 2023 for the awards of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and asthma.