The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability manifesting in kidney stones.,For the period prior to June 4, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, the Veteran’s cervical spine disability is manifested by forward flexion limited to 20 degrees; the evidence does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability from August 1, 2014 forward have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to November 21, 2019, the Veteran’s GERD symptoms included pyrosis and reflux; the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating prior to November 21, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to April 7, 2014, the Veteran’s right elbow extensor tendon tear is manifested by flexion limited to 125 degrees; for the period from June 1, 2014, it is manifested by flexion to 95 degrees and pronation to 60 degrees.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right elbow extensor tendon tear with limitation of pronation have not been satisfied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of kidney stones, and there are no findings or symptoms to support a diagnosis related to kidney stones. The cervical spine disability has been rated based on limitation of motion, with forward flexion limited to 20 degrees prior to June 4, 2014 and from August 1, 2014 onward. The GERD symptoms have not met the criteria for an initial compensable rating. The right elbow extensor tendon tear has been rated based on limitation of motion, with flexion limited to 95 degrees and pronation to 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- kidney stones, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right elbow extensor tendon tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20046247
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 20046247.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
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