The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a higher rating based on the current medical findings.

The deciding factor: The December 20, 2023 VA examination was the first to diagnose bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and there was no evidence of left knee disability limitation sufficient to warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

Claimed conditions

left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 30, 2025

Citation

A25111191

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