The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the 'entitlement' to service connection arose no earlier than January 22, 2009 when a VA examination provided a favorable nexus opinion linking his low back disability to his period of active military service. The claim for an increased evaluation was also denied.
The deciding factor: The effective date for service connection could not be earlier than March 23, 1999 as the Veteran's 'entitlement' arose no earlier than January 22, 2009 when a VA examination provided a favorable nexus opinion linking his low back disability to his period of active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with postoperative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2012
- Citation
- 1225426
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1225426.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
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