The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, except for the granted increases in disability ratings to 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, effective from November 10, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an earlier effective date was not warranted as the Veteran's claims for service connection were not filed until November 10, 2021, and the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to service connection prior to this date. However, the increased ratings were granted based on the evidence showing moderate severity of the conditions from that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25027129
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for various disabilities and granted earlier effective dates for service connection of scars, but denied an earlier effective date for individual unemployability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
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