The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and higher-level SMC were dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for right elbow disability, left elbow disability, cervical strain, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as service connection for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability were all dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a total (100 percent) disability rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 10, 2011.,The Veteran’s appeals for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were remanded. The appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder disability was also remanded.

The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals for erectile dysfunction and higher-level SMC prior to the promulgation of a decision in the appeal.,The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a right elbow disability, as post-service medical records are silent to any complaints or diagnoses related to the right elbow. The left elbow disability was not incurred in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to it.,The Veteran's claim for cervical strain, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as service connection for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability were all dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were remanded as there was insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

Claimed conditions

Erectile Dysfunction, Right Elbow Disability, Left Elbow Disability, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Major Depressive Disorder (PTSD), Right Upper Extremity CTS, Left Upper Extremity CTS

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

October 5, 2018

Citation

18140779

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 18140779.