The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies have been rated at 10 percent since February 9, 2023. The Board has determined that the VA examinations and evaluations are inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion from an appropriate clinician.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports of record are inadequate for assigning an accurate rating for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathies throughout the entire period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26001079
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26001079.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus, have caused him to need regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.
- Denied
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent throughout the appeal period, as it did not meet the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from July 6, 2021 have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.