The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy and granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, alcohol and cocaine dependence.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that an increase in disability had not been factually ascertainable prior to March 28, 2022, and that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

Claimed conditions

right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive disorder, alcohol and cocaine dependence

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

November 13, 2025

Citation

A25098707

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine