The rating reduction of the Veteran's right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 17, 2020, was improper. The ratings are restored to 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination used for reducing the rating was inadequate as it did not include a thorough physical examination and development of the severity and progression of symptoms associated with the Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Sciatic Nerve Radiculopathy, Left Sciatic Nerve Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26018535
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 A26018535.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy from February 18, 2021, to April 28, 2021, were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a rating more than 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's right sciatic nerve radiculopathy was manifest by no more than mild incomplete paralysis prior to September 16, 2022. The Veteran's right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis from September 16, 2022, forward.,The Veteran's left sciatic nerve radiculopathy was manifest by no more than mild incomplete paralysis prior to September 16, 2022. The Veteran's left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis from September 16, 2022, forward.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for right sciatic nerve radiculopathy from November 9, 2020. Prior to that date, the Veteran's symptoms were rated as mild and did not warrant an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 26, 2021. The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the period prior to September 1, 2020.,For the period prior to September 1, 2020, the Veteran's left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. For the period beginning September 1, 2020, it is rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent and no higher. The Board has remanded this issue as well.,All other issues have been resolved.
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