The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy, femoral nerve and sciatic nerve in the left lower extremity due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to February 14, 2017.
The deciding factor: The earliest diagnosis of left lower extremity radiculopathy was made at a VA examination on February 14, 2017. The Board acknowledged earlier records noting chronic back pain and episodes of referred pain but did not provide an earlier date for which the Veteran met the requirements for the benefits sought.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26008357
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 A26008357.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities prior to April 22, 2023.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for aid and attendance as he required care or assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and protect him from hazards or dangers inherent in his daily environment. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, chronic sinusitis, intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar sacral degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves in both lower extremities, and GERD. The appeal is dismissed as a result.
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