The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 16, 2002, for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence at the time of the April 2002 rating decision clearly noted associated left lower extremity radicular symptoms with the Veteran's back condition, warranting a separate compensable rating. The AOJ erred in failing to award this rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051520
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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