The Board granted service connection for hearing loss and an effective date of April 19, 2022, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for GERD. The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and back disability.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss is related to active duty, and an April 19, 2022, Intent to File form was construed as a claim for GERD. The effective dates for the other conditions were not earlier than the date entitlement arose.

Claimed conditions

hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with major depressive disorder to include generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder (GERD), right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with IVDS status post fracture of first lumbar and fourth thoracic vertebra (RLE radiculopathy), left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease with IVDS status post fracture of first lumbar and fourth thoracic vertebra (LLE radiculopathy), erectile dysfunction associated with major depressive disorder to include generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 4, 2025

Citation

A25095558

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