OK, here goes! Back in 2011 I became aware of VA Disability so I filed my first claim since being Honorably Discharged in 1998. On this claim I became service connected for:
Tinnitus(10%)
Lumbar Spine (10%)
Bi-lateral hips (10%)
for a total rating of 40%.
I also received:
left ankle strain (0%),
surgical scars hips (0%)
surgical scars wrists (0%)
and bi-lateral wrists (0%)
Upon this receipt I then filed an 2013 NOD instituting a DRO for bi-lateral wrists (0%) and Lumbar Spine (10%). The DRO then provides a C&P on August 2016. Upon completion the VA institutes the following ratings Lumbar Spine (20%) and bi-lateral wrists (10%) which brings my total rating to 60%. In my mind and from what I've read these ratings should have an Effective Date of 2011? Instead, the VA provides an Effective Date of 2016 which I then appealed to the BVA. The BVA in turn concurred stating that increased ratings shall have the earliest effective dates of the earliest time it is ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred. Now bare in mind that my injuries are documented in my service records dating back as far as 1989 and continued through to this date with at least 4 wrist surgeries in service, X-ray evidence, listed pain, a medical board for the wrists and injuries recorded for my back with DJD and dextroscoliosis.
Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated
KC