The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher disability ratings, as well as denied a compensable rating for left and right hip strains with impairment.

The deciding factor: The March 2018 rating decision that awarded service connection for the conditions was final. The criteria for an earlier effective date were not met due to the lack of new and material evidence or legal basis, and VA cannot recognize more than one intent to file concurrently for the same benefit.

Claimed conditions

right shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee arthritis and strain, left shoulder bicipital impingement syndrome, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), erectile dysfunction, anxiety disorder, left hip impairment, left hip flexion, right hip impairment, right hip flexion, tension headaches

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 9, 2025

Citation

A25087421

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine