The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back disability, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, hip arthroplasty, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they were not shown during active service or within one year post-service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners found no direct link between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service activities, with some attributing the conditions to natural progression of age-related wear and tear or genetic factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Right Hip Arthroplasty, Left Hip Arthroplasty, Erectile Dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2020
- Citation
- A20018007
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with MDD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected condition, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, it denied SMC based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for tension headaches effective September 13, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and granted TDIU beginning April 5, 2022.
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