The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lower extremity radiculopathy conditions have been granted, with each condition receiving a 20 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported the finding that the Veteran's sciatic and femoral nerve disabilities were primarily manifested by pain and sensory disturbance, which is most analogous to moderate incomplete paralysis of both nerves.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Femoral Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Femoral Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve, Left 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
- A26004333
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 A26004333.
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.
- Granted
PTSD rated at 50% effective January 21, 2020.,Right sciatic nerve and left sciatic nerve each rated at 10% prior to December 1, 2022. Both are now rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.,Radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve rated at 20% from December 1, 2022; radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve also rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted higher initial ratings to 70% and 20%, respectively. The decision also notes that his alcohol use disorder is not considered in determining service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shin splints, and knee injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
- Granted
Entitlement to an earlier effective date of December 28, 2022 for the grant of service connection for a back disability and RLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date of October 2, 2023 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied.
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