The Board denied an effective date prior to May 3, 2021 for the award of service connection for various disabilities and DEA benefits.

The deciding factor: There is no communication of record that may be construed as a formal or informal claim for such benefit after the issuance of the April 2014 rating decision and prior to May 3, 2021, and the Veteran has not contended otherwise.

Claimed conditions

bilateral pes planus, intervertebral disc syndrome with strain (IVDS), thoracolumbar spine (back disability), femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, femoral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, intervertebral disc syndrome with strain (IVDS), cervical spine (neck disability), cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, patellofemoral pain syndrome with strain and instability, left knee (left knee instability), patellofemoral pain syndrome with strain and instability, right knee (right knee instability), painful left knee, painful right knee, left hip strain with limitation of adduction, left hip strain with limitation of extension, left hip strain with limitation of flexion

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 5, 2025

Citation

A25020092

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