Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the issuance of the HLR rating decision currently on appeal. The Board will obtain a VA examination to determine whether his service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of either regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a duty to assist error, and requires an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which is considered an intermediate step in establishing secondary service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of cervical strain, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to obesity resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol dependency, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to errors in VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right shoulder disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining VA treatment records and adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or its functional equivalent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg sciatic radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions arose prior to April 28, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine conditions, which may be related to service. The case is returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for right ankle disability, right knee disability, and back disability due to new evidence received after a September 2024 rating decision. Service connection is now granted for right ankle arthritis and total ankle joint replacement, right knee strain, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, osteoarthritis, and total knee arthroplasty, as well as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine secondary to these conditions. The Board also granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related lower extremity neuropathies as well as chronic kidney disease were denied. The effective date is set at August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis with DDD and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the medical evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his cervical spine and thoracic strain conditions have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent each.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O and r-1 rates due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The need for aid and attendance is based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran's right hip, knee, shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran's claims for service connection were already granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his service connection claims for various conditions were dismissed. The effective date of the TDIU is not specified in the decision.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the inadequacy of a July 2021 VA neck examination and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on his bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 18, 2018 for various ratings and Dependents' Educational Assistance awards.