The Veteran seeks effective dates earlier than March 7, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board finds that entitlement to such an effective date is not warranted as the earliest effective date allowed by law is March 7, 2012.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability), degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and traumatic left knee injury with post-operative instability. The Board finds that entitlement to such increased ratings is not warranted based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The effective dates are governed by law and cannot be earlier than March 7, 2012 as this was the date VA received the Veteran's claim for an increase in his service-connected back disability. The Board finds that the Veteran did not file a separate claim for radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability), degenerative joint disease of the left knee, traumatic left knee injury with post-operative instability (left knee instability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1806549
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 1806549.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status, but dismissed the claims for initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot condition, right foot condition, cellulitis, right ear hearing loss, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal of the proposal to reduce a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain was dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a higher rating based on the current medical findings.
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