Service connection for GERD, carpal tunnel syndrome of upper extremities, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of lower extremities is granted. An earlier effective date of August 19, 2011, is granted for service connection for these conditions. However, an earlier effective date than October 7, 2014, for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD had its onset during active duty service, and the first showing of current disability was demonstrated in August 19, 2011. The effective date for awards of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of each upper extremity and tarsal tunnel syndrome of each lower extremity is granted as of August 19, 2011. For erectile dysfunction, the first showing of current disability was in August 2011, but the claim was received more than one year after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Peripheral neuropathy of each upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176573
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,963 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19176573.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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