The Veteran's bilateral sciatic nerve impairments and mid-thoracic scar status post lipoma excision were denied as service connection was not established due to failure to report for VA examinations, lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or toxic exposures, and no positive nexus opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause, which precluded obtaining a nexus opinion. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service.
- Claimed conditions
- sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity, mid-thoracic scar status post lipoma excision
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26024200
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 A26024200.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity did not begin during active service or is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's right lower extremity nerve impairment and a need for clarification of the diagnosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to retrospectively assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from January 29, 2010, through October 21, 2019.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left arm disability, as well as his claims for a right knee disability and sciatic nerve impairment. The issues include determining whether he is entitled to an increased rating for his left arm limitation of motion, residual of injury, and whether he should be granted TDIU.
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