The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent, effective August 28, 2012. The Veteran also has service-connected disabilities involving different anatomical segments or bodily systems that are ratable greater than 60 percent from August 28, 2012, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520 due to moderate symptoms. The additional service-connected disabilities involving different anatomical segments or bodily systems that are ratable greater than 60 percent from August 28, 2012, qualify him for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Claimed conditions
- right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26004051
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 A26004051.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
Your initial evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted, but your appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues on appeal as the May 2024 rating decision was a purely ministerial implementation of the April 2024 Board decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and for a new examination that meets specific criteria.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected RUE brachial plexus injury and lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve should be rated higher than their current noncompensable (0 percent) ratings.
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