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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0001645.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to a regulatory duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, left foot disorder (flatfoot and plantar fasciitis), right foot disorder (flatfoot and plantar fasciitis), left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and assigned initial ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30 percent, but no higher, for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded several claims for further development and readjudication, including service connection for OSA and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for right wrist sprain, MDD, tension headaches, and other musculoskeletal 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.