The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of May 19, 2022 for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies, but denied earlier effective dates for right and left knee disabilities. A 10 percent rating was also granted for the removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee.

The deciding factor: The claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there is no basis under the applicable laws and regulations to award an even earlier effective date, while a 10 percent rating was granted based on the presence of related symptoms of frequent episodes of locking with pain.

Claimed conditions

Lumbar spine disability, Right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, Left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, Right knee disability, Left knee disability

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 10, 2025

Citation

A25012190

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine