The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 10, 2018 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied.,Effective dates cannot be established before the date of separation from active duty or the date entitlement arose if within one year.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a diagnosis or entitlement to service connection prior to April 10, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical radiculopathy with right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine IVDS, right thumb trigger finger, left hip degenerative labral tear (extension), left hip degenerative labral tear (flexion), bilateral dry eye syndrome, GERD, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right tibia and/or fibula stress fracture with shin splint, left shin splint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21063905
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21063905.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the 10 percent disability rating for an adjustment disorder and the 20 percent disability rating for a back condition, effective June 1, 2025. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted, and the appeal to restore a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc other than IVDS, central canal stenosis, and scoliosis prior to June 1, 2024 is dismissed.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.