The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the effects of medications on the appellant's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity (RLE). The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining an examination and medical opinion without considering the ameliorating effects of medication.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examiner did not discuss the ameliorative effects of medications on the appellant's radiculopathy, which is a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26018315
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 A26018315.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board awarded an effective date of March 8, 2021 for migraine headaches and a rating of 10 percent for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI), but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (DJD spondylolisthesis L-5 S1), radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, paralysis of the ulnar nerve, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, left ankle tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, pituitary macroadenoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and renal failure.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed several appeals related to disability ratings and denied a higher rating for tension headaches, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in the left lower extremity was denied. The claim for the right lower extremity was remanded for further examination.
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