Radiculopathy: what the Board looked for
Real appeals on nerve pain down the legs, claimed as caused by a service-connected back, where a private medical opinion carried the weight.
A nexus letter is a signed medical opinion that links a current condition to your service.
If the VA just denied your radiculopathy claim: your decision letter lists the reasons. We read those reasons next to your records, page by page.
If you haven’t filed yet: the points below are what the Board weighed in these appeals. A letter can cover them from the start.
Why radiculopathy claims get denied
- The VA exam says you don’t have radiculopathy. It never squares that with the numbness and burning you reported.
- The VA exam finds nerve pain in one leg and calls the other leg normal.
- The VA nerve tests come back normal, and your treatment records show no nerve complaints.
- Private letters fall short when they don’t say what records or exam findings they rest on, or never say your back caused it.
What the Board looked for
“Probative” is the Board’s word for convincing.
The VA exam skipped the veteran’s symptoms.Granted · 2025
“Although the VA examiner found that he was negative for radiculopathy, the examiner did not reconcile their findings with the Veteran’s reports of experiencing symptoms consistent with radiculopathy.”
The veteran reported tingling, numbness and burning in both legs. The VA exam said no radiculopathy and gave no reason. A private exam found the sciatic nerve affected in both legs, caused by the service-connected back.
Read decision A25050938 on VA.gov (opens in a new tab)The VA exam found only one bad leg.Granted · 2024
“As radiating pain is symptom that the Veteran is competent to report, the Board finds that his reports to the February 2021 private clinician are both competent and credible.”
The VA examiner found radiculopathy in the right leg but not the left. The veteran told the private clinician the pain ran down both legs. The clinician diagnosed both and explained how the back caused the nerve problems. The Board granted both.
Read decision A24041498 on VA.gov (opens in a new tab)A clear reason, backed by studies.Granted · 2026
“The Board finds that the February 2025 private examination report contains a clear and thorough rationale linking the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.”
The private examiner reviewed the records. The opinion explained how a limping walk, a misaligned spine and uneven weight led to pain down the leg. It cited studies on how spine changes can lead to radiculopathy.
Read decision A26069417 on VA.gov (opens in a new tab)A private letter the Board turned down.Denied · 2025
“While the May 2022 private practitioner noted that the L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots were involved, he did not opine that it was caused nor aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected disability.”
Two in-person VA exams found no nerve problem. The private report didn’t say what records it used or show an in-person exam. It named the nerve roots but never said the back caused it.
Read decision A25050080 on VA.gov (opens in a new tab)
What a strong nexus letter for radiculopathy does
From the opinions the Board found convincing:
- Names the records reviewed and the exam findings in them, like a nerve test or a reflex check.
- Names the nerve involved and the symptoms: numbness, tingling, burning, pain down the limb.
- Takes your own account of radiating pain seriously and checks it against the exam.
- Covers each arm or leg on its own, not just the worse side.
- Says plainly that your service-connected back or neck caused it or made it worse.
- Explains how, such as a limping walk or a misaligned spine.
- Cites studies and ties them to your spine.
- Uses the VA’s standard, “at least as likely as not.”
See what your records support
Our Nexus Check reads every page you send and cites the page for each finding, including pages that work against the claim. It’s free. If you request a letter, we draft it, and a licensed clinician reviews it, edits it and signs only what they support.
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If we don’t respond the same day during business hours, you get 15% off your nexus letter.
A call, voicemail or text from us counts as our reply. Business hours: Mon to Fri 8 to 5, Sat and Sun 8 to 2 Pacific. Terms
We don’t file claims or contact the VA for you. You or your accredited representative decide how to submit your evidence.
Public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions. These veterans weren’t Anchorpoint clients. Every claim is decided on its own evidence.