The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to September 1, 2021, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran was entitled to an earlier effective date under the governing criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045967
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying the regulatory duty to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, bladder and bowel incontinence, vertigo, and right knee disability as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.