The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and various knee disorders were denied. The claim for hypertension was remanded due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a coronary bypass residual scar were also denied. Effective dates prior to June 26, 2017 for service connection for ED and SMC loss of use of a creative organ, as well as an increased disability rating for CAD, were denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection under any theory of entitlement. The evidence was insufficient to establish current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Ear Hearing Loss, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Bilateral Knee Arthritis, including arthritis of the left knee post-replacement surgery, Sleep Apnea, Diabetes Mellitus, Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Right Lower Extremity Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Neuropathy, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066316
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 claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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