The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 25, 2022, for service connection for a back condition but remanded the matter of entitlement to an extraschedular total disability based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to April 13, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's January 25, 2022, Intent to File and subsequent VA Form 21-526EZ Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits were sufficient to initiate a supplemental claim for service connection for a back condition, leading to an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome status post fusion surgery (back condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2025
- Citation
- A25086814
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