The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disorder did not have its onset in service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found that there was a plausible link between the veteran's current Reiter's syndrome and venereal disease he had during service, but concluded that this disability is more likely due to Agent Orange exposure rather than the venereal disease. As such, the Board denied both issues.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner in August 1999 found it less likely that the veteran's Reiter's syndrome was related to the episodes of gonorrhea and urethritis in service, concluding instead that it was more likely due to Agent Orange exposure. The left ankle disorder issue was denied as there was no medical evidence linking this condition to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Reiter's syndrome, Left ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2000
- Citation
- 0001645
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0001645.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, Reiter's syndrome, and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and that his service-connected disabilities do not warrant an earlier effective date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of August 2, 2012 for the establishment of service connection for Reiter's syndrome with degenerative arthritis of cervical spine and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle fracture are all granted service connection. The right ankle fracture is remanded for a higher disability rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee tendinitis.
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