The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, but SMC based on loss of use or housebound status was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 8520 due to incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Veteran's radiculopathy manifested in no more than moderate incomplete paralysis during the period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26025207
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 A26025207.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, IVDS and herniated disc but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves) and remanded service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains were denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of August 1, 2017.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease was denied.,Effective from March 8, 2020, the Veteran received service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to extend the effective dates of his service-connected conditions was dismissed as untimely and without good cause presented.
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