The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve are denied as the earliest evidence indicating these conditions is from August 21, 2020.
The deciding factor: There was no earlier mention of the femoral nerve condition within the period on appeal, thus an effective date prior to August 21, 2020 cannot be established.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26014265
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 A26014265.
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 has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new examination is needed to evaluate the nature and severity of his symptoms.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and hypertension was denied. The rating for IVDS with bilateral facet arthropathy thoracolumbar spondylosis is not met as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, or ankylosis (or its functional equivalent).,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathies were not met as the evidence did not show at least moderate incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve or sciatic nerve. The rating for hypertension was also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), cervical strain, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been restored. Effective April 2, 2023, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.
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