Odis C. Stowers v. Eric K. Shinseki

BARTLEY, Judge:

Veteran Odis C. Stowers appeals through counsel a September 19, 2012, Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) decision denying an effective date earlier than February 19, 2008, for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. 1 Record (R.) at 3-12. This appeal is timely and the Court has jurisdiction to review the Board’s decision pursuant to 38 U.S.C. §§ 7252(a) and 7266(a). Mr. Stowers argues that the Board, when considering his claim for an earlier effective date, erred in not addressing (1) VA’s duty to attempt to obtain relevant service…