The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection for a low back disability was April 27, 2016.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show the presence of radiculopathy or other symptoms prior to January 20, 2022, which is when it became factually ascertainable that the Veteran had impairment of the sciatic and femoral nerves in his lower extremities as a result of his service-connected low back disability.

Claimed conditions

thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and joint disease, spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability), right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve, scar, residual of back surgery

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 5, 2025

Citation

A25010490

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