The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for Buerger's Disease. The veteran was denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence provided by the veteran, including statements from his treating physician, did not provide sufficient probative information regarding when he initially developed Buerger's Disease to reopen the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Buerger's Disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2001
- Citation
- 0116153
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 0116153.
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 claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity amputations was denied due to the conclusion that his additional disability did not result from VA negligence, carelessness, or lack of proper skill. The service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU were also denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to military service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board finds that the Veteran's in-service right knee injury caused Buerger's Disease, which was related to coronary artery disease and his cause of death. The criteria for service connection have been met.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board concludes that the veteran's Buerger's Disease had its onset during active duty service, and grants service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further medical evaluation is needed to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus contributed to his death from septic shock. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.
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