The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fractured tailbone, residuals of frostbite of the feet, and residuals of fractured teeth are not well-grounded. The claim for diabetes mellitus secondary to frostbite of the feet is denied as it lacks legal merit. The claim for obstructive lung disease and chronic bronchitis secondary to nicotine dependence is granted with an evaluation of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of fractured tailbone, residuals of frostbite of the feet, residuals of fractured teeth, diabetes mellitus, circulatory problems, arthritis, skin problems, obstructive lung disease and chronic bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 1, 2000
- Citation
- 0011484
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 0011484.
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 remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral knee strain to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus; granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and skin cancer; and restored the 10 percent rating for hypertension.
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