The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were denied. The RO granted service connection for depressive disorder, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension with specific effective dates.
The deciding factor: The effective dates assigned by the RO are the earliest possible based on the date of receipt of the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and Gastritis, Erectile Dysfunction associated with Thoracolumbar Sprain with Disc Disease, Left Hip Disability, Cervical Spine Disability, Prostatitis, Left Elbow Disability, Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever, Sinus Condition, and Allergies)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19196944
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 19196944.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, a cervical spine disability, and a thyroid disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, left hip disability, lumbar strain and sacroiliac joint pain with left lower extremity radiation, and right great toe ingrown toenail and onychomycosis as the evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder.
- Dismissed
The appeal for several conditions, including insomnia, hypertension, and various disabilities, was dismissed due to procedural issues.
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