Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 26, 2019 for the grants of service connection for PTSD with panic attacks, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is denied, but he is granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left sciatic nerves as secondary to his service-connected DMII.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted an initial 20 percent rating from August 29, 2025.

The Board has granted effective dates of April 6, 2023 for the 20 percent evaluations of left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran also received an earlier effective date of April 6, 2023 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the effective dates for the grants of 20 percent ratings and higher disability ratings for the Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, and these issues must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a TDIU and an increased evaluation for left Achilles tendonitis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her unable to work during certain periods, but further review is needed.

Your lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent effective February 9, 2022.,Your left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve are both rated at 20 percent effective May 1, 2019. Your left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent from October 23, 2019 and your right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is also rated at 20 percent from October 23, 2019.,Your claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot as you are already receiving a combined rating of 100%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment since June 11, 2019. Effective dates of June 11, 2019 for TDIU and DEA are granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful occupation. The TMJ claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral degenerative arthritis of the spine have been restored to their previous levels effective October 18, 2024. The appeal regarding service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent with an effective date of November 24, 2015.,Entitlement to higher initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to February 8, 2016. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is already accounted for by the current rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment due to his back and knee conditions, which limit his ability to stand, walk, lift, bend, and carry.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DM2 with ED, CKD, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica, left lower extremity was granted with an effective date of March 27, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that there is a nexus between these conditions and in-service injuries. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be due to his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating from September 28, 2019 for the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with disc herniation L3-S1, status post discectomy L3-4 and L4-5. The other conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection.

The Veteran's application for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants was denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the regulatory requirements.