The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and compensation for various conditions, including left great toe neuropathy, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, and a lumbar scar.
The deciding factor: The claims were denied as there was no earlier unaddressed filing or communication that could be considered a claim for benefits related to these conditions. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the initial claim in August 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- left great toe neuropathy, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatica, lumbar scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23000767
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 service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left elbow sprain, right elbow enthesophyte, left knee strain and enthesophyte, right knee strain, and right leg radiculopathy but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatica but granted separate disability ratings for neuritis and neuralgia.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The appeal was also granted to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions.
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