{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/paralysis-of-the-sciatic-nerve","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:19.924Z","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 the sciatic nerve","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1500,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":50.5,"denied_pct":54.2,"remanded_pct":3.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":48.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":75,"granted_pct":26.7,"denied_pct":49.3,"remanded_pct":8},{"year":2018,"issues":140,"granted_pct":42.9,"denied_pct":45.7,"remanded_pct":4.3},{"year":2019,"issues":179,"granted_pct":41.9,"denied_pct":53.6,"remanded_pct":1.1},{"year":2020,"issues":294,"granted_pct":40.8,"denied_pct":55.8,"remanded_pct":2},{"year":2021,"issues":295,"granted_pct":43.7,"denied_pct":51.2,"remanded_pct":1.4},{"year":2022,"issues":307,"granted_pct":46.3,"denied_pct":45.9,"remanded_pct":3.3},{"year":2023,"issues":323,"granted_pct":47.7,"denied_pct":48.9,"remanded_pct":1.9},{"year":2024,"issues":438,"granted_pct":49.5,"denied_pct":46.3,"remanded_pct":2.7},{"year":2025,"issues":440,"granted_pct":45,"denied_pct":49.3,"remanded_pct":4.5},{"year":2026,"issues":184,"granted_pct":51.1,"denied_pct":44.6,"remanded_pct":3.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":55.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":330,"granted_pct_with":62.3,"granted_pct_without":44.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1295,"granted_pct_with":46.4,"granted_pct_without":60},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":146,"granted_pct_with":58.3,"granted_pct_without":47.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":303,"granted_pct_with":40.8,"granted_pct_without":50},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":490,"granted_pct_with":54.3,"granted_pct_without":45.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":116,"granted_pct_with":56.1,"granted_pct_without":47.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1254,"granted_pct_with":48.9,"granted_pct_without":44.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":49,"granted_pct_with":47.9,"granted_pct_without":48.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":23},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve","decisions":14},{"reason":"symptoms approximated moderately severe incomplete paralysis","decisions":12},{"reason":"symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":11},{"reason":"moderately severe incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":11},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":56},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":40},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":8},{"reason":"evidence weighed against higher rating","decisions":7},{"reason":"no evidence of marked muscular atrophy","decisions":7},{"reason":"symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040544","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Diminished muscle strength; Hypoactive reflexes; Decreased and absent sensations; Severe pain and paresthesias; No muscle atrophy"},{"case_id":"A26040167","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"Resolved reasonable doubt in veteran's favor; Symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis; No muscle atrophy or normal reflexes/strength"},{"case_id":"A26040027","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Evidence supports 40 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.; Resolving doubt in veteran's favor.; No evidence of marked muscular atrophy for higher rating."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040515","year":2026,"judge":"LEETRA J. HARRIS","rationale":"Symptoms limited to mild sensory deficits (pain, numbness, paresthesias in right lower extremity).; Normal muscle strength and reflexes documented.; No findings indicative of moderate or greater severity, muscle atrophy, trophic changes, or significant sensory deficits."},{"case_id":"A26039602","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Current rating is 20 percent; Evidence did not show motor/reflex impairment for severe paralysis; Mild subjective symptoms and sensory deficits noted"},{"case_id":"A26038652","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Denied higher rating for left leg radiculopathy; Evidence against moderate/severe incomplete paralysis; Normal strength, reflexes, sensory exams; only mild intermittent pain"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}