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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0200677.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity conditions and PTSD, resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is entitled to specially adapted housing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
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