The veteran's claims for separate and compensable ratings for various conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an earlier effective date of August 10, 2018, for service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The issue of an effective date earlier than October 9, 2019, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the probative evidence did not support the veteran's claims for separate and compensable ratings due to overlapping symptomatology and lack of supporting medical evidence.

Claimed conditions

degenerative arthritis of the spine, left trochanteric bursitis with impairment of the thigh, right trochanteric bursitis with impairment of the thigh, left trochanteric bursitis with limitation of extension of the thigh, right trochanteric bursitis with limitation of extension of the thigh, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 14, 2025

Citation

A25003443

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