The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating, as there was no evidence of an informal or formal claim prior to September 27, 2022.

The deciding factor: The lack of any communication indicating intent to apply for service connection benefits for these disabilities prior to September 27, 2022, and the fact that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for such benefits before this date led to the denial of the claims.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine, Left cervical radiculopathy, Right cervical radiculopathy, Right foot pes planus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 14, 2025

Citation

A25099198

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