The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a cold injury to the ears, cheeks, and temples, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nicotine dependence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) secondary to nicotine dependence, testicular disorder, residuals of an eye injury, low back disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Board found no current disability for the claimed ear condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any current residual conditions related to cold injuries to the ears, cheeks, or temples. The veteran's reported symptoms were not supported by physical examination findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a cold injury to the ears, cheeks, and temples, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Nicotine dependence, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) secondary to nicotine dependence, Testicular disorder, Residuals of an eye injury, Low back disorder, Gastrointestinal disorder, to include dizziness and blackout spells
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0200677
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 0200677.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease, to include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), secondary to tinnitus and dismissed the claims for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for left knee limited flexion and a 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability, but denied an increased rating for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for congestive heart failure and PTSD, granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, and granted special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to correct duty to assist errors, as the previous VA examinations and opinions are inadequate.
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