The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for chronic sprain and strain of the lumbar spine with facet arthropathy of L4-L5 was denied as it is not legally possible to grant such an earlier effective date due to the finality of prior decisions. The effective date granted by the RO was September 30, 2002.
The deciding factor: The claim for an earlier effective date must be denied because the most recent decision that assigned a disability rating (June 2002) is final and cannot be reopened without new evidence or a change in law. The Veteran's appeal of this decision was untimely, so no effective date prior to September 30, 2002 can be granted.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic sprain and strain of the lumbar spine, facet arthropathy of L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2013
- Citation
- 1336082
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 1336082.
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).
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