The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) disabilities have been granted increased ratings effective February 28, 2024.,The Veteran's service connection for the left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) disability has also been granted effective February 28, 2024. However, an earlier effective date is denied as there was no evidence of entitlement prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26005722
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 A26005722.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve are granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher.
- Granted
The appeal as to the propriety of reducing disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee meniscal tear and knee joint osteoarthritis is granted. The appeals are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and the issue of a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve. The reasons are that there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the March 2025 rating decision on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral and sciatic nerves are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.
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