The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish current disabilities for any of the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, major depressive disease, and an anxiety disorder)"}, {"condition_name":"Cardiac disorder (to include hypertensive cardiovascular disease)"}, {"condition_name":"Erectile dysfunction"}, {"condition_name":"Hypothyroidism"}, {"condition_name":"Obstructive sleep apnea"}, {"condition_name":"Neck disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Left shoulder disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right shoulder disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left elbow disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right elbow disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left wrist disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right wrist disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left hip disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right hip disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left knee disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right knee disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left ankle disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right ankle disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Left foot disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}, {"condition_name":"Right foot disorder (to include osteoarthritis)"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20004202
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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