The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral chondromalacia of the knee, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities in any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed shoulder disability during his military service. His complaints of shoulder pain were noted but no clinical findings or diagnoses were made. For the knee and hiatal hernia with GERD, while he reported symptoms, there is no objective evidence of a current disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Shoulder Disability, Bilateral Chondromalacia of the Knee, Hiatal Hernia with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2010
- Citation
- 1003686
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 1003686.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from July 28, 2024, but denied a higher rating. The Board also denied an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, TDIU based on PTSD, and service connection for various disabilities, except for tinnitus which was granted.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetes, erectile dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, hemorrhoids, and knee and ankle disabilities, was dismissed.
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