The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, generalized joint pain, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a nexus between any current shoulder or joint disorder and service, nor was there sufficient evidence to support an increased rating for PTSD, GERD, hearing loss, or lumbar spine disability based on the criteria provided by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, generalized joint pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2009
- Citation
- 0902408
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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