The Board denied service connection for general osteoarthritis of the joints and chronic pain, as well as various increased rating claims for TBI, erectile dysfunction, headache disorder, lumbosacral disc degeneration, PTSD with depression and anxiety. However, it granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of general osteoarthritis of the joints or chronic pain separate from service-connected disabilities, nor did it meet the criteria for increased ratings in any of the other claims.
- Claimed conditions
- general osteoarthritis of the joints, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), erectile dysfunction, headache disorder, lumbosacral disc degeneration post decompression at L3-S1, right lower peroneal nerve compression neuropathy, left lower peroneal nerve compression neuropathy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression and anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22000089
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding its etiology.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, elbows condition, cervical condition, erectile dysfunction, kidney condition, sleep apnea, wrists condition, asthma, shoulders condition, ankles condition, eye condition (bilateral dry macular degeneration), peripheral vascular disease (heart condition), and rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hearing loss, painful scar, patellofemoral pain syndromes of the knees, and other conditions.
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.