The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral bunions, a psychiatric disorder (including MDD), and a bilateral shoulder disorder were all denied. The Board found that the bunions did not have their onset during service and are not otherwise related to active duty service. The MDD was not caused by or increased in severity beyond its natural progress by any service-connected disability. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain is not caused by, or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease by, any service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence linking the bunions, MDD, or shoulder strain to service and determined that they were not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bunions, MDD, bilateral shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21064164
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 21064164.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for bilateral shoulder strain, ankle tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate VA opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of March 1, 2023 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 31, 2021.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.
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