The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 16, 1983 for the lumbar spine disability and related conditions, but denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities and a rating for radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were present at the time he filed his claim in 1983, and the evidence supports that service connection was warranted at that time. However, the severity of the conditions did not warrant higher ratings prior to July 2008.
- Claimed conditions
- spondyloarthrosis with spondylolisthesis, lumbar strain, posterior central disk protrusion and cauda equina compression (lumbar spine disability), painful scars, low back, scars, low back, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity (RLE) with radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity (LLE) with radiculopathy, radiculopathy, LLE, femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25023927
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 Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, scars, low back disability, left ankle disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, and left and right hip disabilities as the evidence did not show that the Veteran had these conditions or related symptoms during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions and examination reports to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for several disorders, granted service connection for tinnitus, and remanded additional claims for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU due to missing records.
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