The Board denied reopening the claims for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and bone spurs of the feet. The veteran's PTSD symptoms were not found to meet criteria for a higher rating. His burns and chest wound residuals did not warrant increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the veteran's conditions have significantly worsened or present an exceptional disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine, Bone spurs of the feet, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Residuals of first and second degree burns of the face and neck, Residuals of first and second degree burns of the right hand, Residuals of first and second degree burns of the left hand, Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right (major) posterolateral chest region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 14, 2001
- Citation
- 0116278
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 0116278.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, and the Court has ordered a remand due to the Veteran not being provided notice of his right to a hearing before the RO.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, Type II and remanded the claims for higher ratings for sciatic neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, PTSD, TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred and a link established by medical evidence between current symptoms and a claimed in-service stressor.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 15, 2023, for the award of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and major depressive disorder.
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