The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for the service-connected residuals of bilateral epididymitis with secondary infertility and residual epididymal thickening, finding no basis to assign a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of evidence of urinary tract infection or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral epididymitis, secondary infertility, residual epididymal thickening
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0204387
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 0204387.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depression with anxious distress and a 10 percent rating for his bilateral epididymitis, while denying ratings for his other conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to April 3, 2017 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable solely because of his service-connected conditions. The Board noted that other non-service-connected disorders were more likely contributing factors to his unemployment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.