The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral lower extremity femoral and sciatic radiculopathies, as well as for DEA benefits.
The deciding factor: The RO assigned a combined disability rating of 100% based on multiple service-connected disabilities, which rendered TDIU moot. The Board found that the failure to develop and adjudicate the claim constituted a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26006012
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26006012.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is granted with an effective date of July 25, 2023.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and denied service connection for cervical strain, left knee strain, and left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. The remaining claims have been granted or are pending further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy disabilities were granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent, but no higher. The criteria for entitlement to these ratings have been met.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted effective from August 4, 2023.
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