The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for lumbar spine disability is denied. The RO assigned the March 26, 2020 effective date based on receipt of his TDIU application, which was received in March 26, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show a factually ascertainable increase in severity of lumbar spine disability prior to July 29, 2020. The effective date is fixed based on the date of claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (previously evaluated as cervical strain with degenerative joint disease), Lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26021859
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26021859.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with agoraphobia with panic attacks as directly related to military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and his increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability is also granted to a 40 percent rating.
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