{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/paralysis-of-sciatic-nerve-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:25.523Z","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":{"claim":"Paralysis of sciatic nerve secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Paralysis of sciatic nerve","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":327,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":57.8,"denied_pct":38.2,"remanded_pct":6.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":60.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":39,"granted_pct":46.2,"denied_pct":46.2,"remanded_pct":2.6},{"year":2018,"issues":36,"granted_pct":52.8,"denied_pct":44.4,"remanded_pct":2.8},{"year":2019,"issues":38,"granted_pct":44.7,"denied_pct":50,"remanded_pct":5.3},{"year":2020,"issues":78,"granted_pct":64.1,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":5.1},{"year":2021,"issues":41,"granted_pct":46.3,"denied_pct":41.5,"remanded_pct":7.3},{"year":2022,"issues":50,"granted_pct":62,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":6},{"year":2023,"issues":51,"granted_pct":72.5,"denied_pct":21.6,"remanded_pct":3.9},{"year":2024,"issues":75,"granted_pct":45.3,"denied_pct":46.7,"remanded_pct":6.7},{"year":2025,"issues":69,"granted_pct":66.7,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":8.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":61.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":76,"granted_pct_with":75.7,"granted_pct_without":55.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":282,"granted_pct_with":58.5,"granted_pct_without":71.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":48,"granted_pct_with":73.3,"granted_pct_without":58},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":79,"granted_pct_with":62.2,"granted_pct_without":59.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":129,"granted_pct_with":60.5,"granted_pct_without":60},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":287,"granted_pct_with":61.2,"granted_pct_without":53.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":53},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":9},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":8},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve","decisions":6},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":9},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":5},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":4},{"reason":"evidence weighed against moderately severe incomplete paralysis","decisions":2},{"reason":"symptoms primarily sensory","decisions":2},{"reason":"symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":2}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26029620","year":2026,"judge":"MARIAH N. SIM","rationale":"VA examination noted severe constant pain, severe paresthesias/dysesthesias, severe numbness.; Examiner described sciatic nerve involvement as moderately severe incomplete paralysis.; Impairment of motor function and decreased muscle strength indicated impairment.; Resolving doubt in veteran's favor… [truncated, 23 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26003480","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Supported by Veteran's credible lay statements; VA examiner noted left-sided radicular symptoms; Examiner's conclusion against diagnosis not adequately explained"},{"case_id":"26002356","year":2026,"judge":"S. BUSH","rationale":"Symptoms within scope of back disability claim; Analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve; Awarded 10 percent rating"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26031685","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"VA examination found normal motor strength, sensation, and reflexes.; No muscle atrophy or complete paralysis noted.; Moderate intermittent pain and mild paresthesias, but no constant pain.; Condition rated as mild incomplete paralysis, primarily sensory."},{"case_id":"A26024241","year":2026,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"Reduction proper due to actual improvement; Later examinations showed no RLE symptoms; Rating in effect for less than five years"},{"case_id":"A26023831","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Evidence best approximates moderate incomplete paralysis, not moderately severe or severe.; VA examination found severe radiculopathy but also retained muscle strength and normal sensory exam.; Veteran's testimony of weakness and pain was credible but unpersuasive against objective findings."}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":494,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":4,"granted_pct":25},"causation_only":{"issues":490,"granted_pct":57.1},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":8.7,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Chronic pain","issues":30,"granted_pct":56.7,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26029620","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"VA examination noted severe constant pain, severe paresthesias/dysesthesias, severe numbness."},{"case_id":"A26031685","year":2026,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Moderate intermittent pain and mild paresthesias, but no constant pain."}]},{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":13,"granted_pct":46.2,"examples":[{"case_id":"24005198","year":2024,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Symptoms of pain, paresthesias, numbness, gait imbalance, falling"},{"case_id":"A25061643","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"While PT records noted right leg pain and positive straight leg raises, these findings were not considered a distinct disability and were already compensated under the radiculopathy rating."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}