The Board granted an effective date of January 16, 2018, for the awards of service connection and subsequently assigned ratings for left ankle, right lower extremity, and right hip disabilities, as well as a 20 percent rating for a lumbar spine disability.

The deciding factor: The evidence supports continuous pursuit of the claims, allowing an earlier effective date based on the initial application filed in January 16, 2018. Additionally, the Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a 20 percent rating throughout the period on appeal due to the effects of flare-ups.

Claimed conditions

right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, left ankle disability, right hip disability manifesting as limitation of extension, right hip disability manifesting as a thigh impairment, right hip disability manifesting as limitation of flexion, lumbar spine disability

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 20, 2025

Citation

A25015649

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