The Veteran's initial ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were reduced from 40% to 20%, but these reductions are void ab initio. The Veteran's initial ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerves remain at 20%. Initial higher ratings for both conditions are denied.
The deciding factor: The reduction in disability evaluations was improper due to procedural deficiencies, and no material improvement in the Veteran's condition was shown.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26030697
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 A26030697.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves due to a duty to assist error by the AOJ.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for restoration of a 60 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine and increased ratings for bilateral lower radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves.
- Granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve was granted a 20% disability rating effective June 20, 2022. The Veteran's anterior crural (femoral) nerve paralysis and right lower ilio-inguinal nerve paralysis were denied increased ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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