{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/paralysis-of-sciatic-nerve","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:15.703Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Paralysis of sciatic nerve","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":6181,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":43.9,"denied_pct":59,"remanded_pct":5.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":42.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":467,"granted_pct":31.3,"denied_pct":58.5,"remanded_pct":2.8},{"year":2018,"issues":707,"granted_pct":38.5,"denied_pct":52.8,"remanded_pct":3.8},{"year":2019,"issues":837,"granted_pct":36.2,"denied_pct":57.9,"remanded_pct":4.1},{"year":2020,"issues":1204,"granted_pct":37.9,"denied_pct":56.6,"remanded_pct":3.4},{"year":2021,"issues":1260,"granted_pct":34.8,"denied_pct":57.9,"remanded_pct":4.6},{"year":2022,"issues":1089,"granted_pct":38.1,"denied_pct":54.6,"remanded_pct":4.5},{"year":2023,"issues":1342,"granted_pct":40.3,"denied_pct":52.9,"remanded_pct":5.4},{"year":2024,"issues":1585,"granted_pct":40.6,"denied_pct":51.3,"remanded_pct":5.4},{"year":2025,"issues":1574,"granted_pct":42.2,"denied_pct":49.9,"remanded_pct":6.2},{"year":2026,"issues":551,"granted_pct":46.3,"denied_pct":44.1,"remanded_pct":8.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":54.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1320,"granted_pct_with":57.1,"granted_pct_without":38.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":5354,"granted_pct_with":41.3,"granted_pct_without":52.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":622,"granted_pct_with":47.1,"granted_pct_without":42.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1493,"granted_pct_with":38,"granted_pct_without":44.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":2077,"granted_pct_with":45.9,"granted_pct_without":41.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":426,"granted_pct_with":52.1,"granted_pct_without":42},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":5167,"granted_pct_with":42.1,"granted_pct_without":45.6},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":68,"granted_pct_with":44.3,"granted_pct_without":42.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":185,"granted_pct_with":39.5,"granted_pct_without":42.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":102},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":58},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve","decisions":41},{"reason":"moderately severe incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":30},{"reason":"symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":29},{"reason":"moderately severe incomplete paralysis","decisions":28}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":248},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":136},{"reason":"did not meet criteria for higher rating","decisions":32},{"reason":"mild incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":26},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":26},{"reason":"evidence weighed against higher rating","decisions":26}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040664","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"Reduction improper due to lack of actual improvement; Single VA exam inadequate; Findings consistent with prior examinations"},{"case_id":"A26040774","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Criteria for 40% rating met; Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of left lower extremity (sciatic nerve)"},{"case_id":"A26039731","year":2026,"judge":"H. SEESEL","rationale":"VA examination showed moderate incomplete paralysis; Veteran testimony indicated severe pain, numbness, and reliance on walker; Evidence supports 40% rating for moderately severe incomplete paralysis"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040624","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Evidence indicates mild incomplete paralysis of the left sciatic nerve.; Symptoms limited to sensory deficits, less persistent or smaller area than 'moderate' disability.; VA examinations found no more than mild symptoms."},{"case_id":"A26040632","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"Evidence indicates only mild incomplete paralysis; Absence of non-sensory symptoms (atrophy, significant motor/reflex impairment); Symptoms did not represent most significant cases of sensory impairment"},{"case_id":"A26040979","year":2026,"judge":"DONNIE R. HACHEY","rationale":"Wholly sensory in nature; No objective motor impairment; Normal motor strength, reflexes, gait"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}