The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates or entitlement to the benefits sought.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to his military service, but there is no direct evidence linking these conditions specifically to his time in service. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates were assigned based on the date of receipt of claims and/or the onset of the disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Chronic constipation
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2018
- Citation
- 1815287
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 1815287.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2014, and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information about the severity of his service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
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