Effective dates of April 8, 2003, for service connection were granted for degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine; radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity; radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity; radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity; radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity. Effective date of May 17, 2012, for service connection was granted for a traumatic brain injury with posttraumatic headaches. An effective date prior to February 8, 2016, for urinary incontinence was denied.,An earlier effective date of April 8, 2003, is granted for the awards of service connection for disabilities of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. An effective date of May 17, 2012, is granted for the award of service connection for posttraumatic headaches due to traumatic brain injury. No earlier effective date is granted for urinary incontinence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were reconsidered based on newly discovered service department records that supported his assertions of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, Intervertebral disc syndrome, Spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, Traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24050463
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 A24050463.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity is denied. The claims for an increased rating for strain of the right hip with limitation of extension and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.