The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease was denied as there is no evidence of a well-grounded claim prior to March 1997.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not file her initial claim until March 1997, which is more than one year after her discharge from service. The effective date for the benefit must be the day following separation from active service or the date entitlement arose if within a year of separation, otherwise it is the date of receipt of claim.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2001
- Citation
- 0123617
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 0123617.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (lumbar spine disorder) was denied as the disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, and he is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating beyond this level during the period from July 1, 2013 through September 6, 2018. For the period since September 7, 2018, the criteria for a higher rating were also not met.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.
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