The Board granted an effective date of February 5, 2023, for the award of a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, but denied earlier effective dates for other claims.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed a factually ascertainable increase in severity one year prior to the Veteran's claim for his back disability, supporting a 20 percent rating from February 5, 2023. For the neck and upper extremity radiculopathy claims, there was no such increase within the relevant time frame.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, including intervertebral disc syndrome with cervical bone spur, radiculopathy, left upper extremity, radiculopathy, right upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25098093
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,680 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25098093.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded several of these claims due to new evidence received after the September 2023 rating decision.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities due to a duty to assist error. Additional development is required, including PACT Act consideration and VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the claims for left wrist disability, TBI, and lower back condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative. The cervical injury, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy service connection claims are remanded as new evidence supports reopening these claims.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.