The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence not showing an intent to file claims prior to the specific dates in question or sufficient medical evidence linking the conditions to service at those times.

Claimed conditions

eczema, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease and strain (neck disability), right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis (back disability), right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, tinnitus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 18, 2025

Citation

A25109399

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