The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a first-degree atrioventricular block, defective vision, hip disability, bilateral arm and wrist disabilities, skin disability, and dental condition. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of residuals of eye burns.
The deciding factor: The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of eye burns. The veteran's service records did not show any in-service injury or chronic disability related to these conditions, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking his current disabilities to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- First-degree atrioventricular block, Refractive error (vision), Hip disability, Bilateral arm and wrist disabilities, Skin disability, Dental condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0204751
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 0204751.
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 Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits to a 5% rate effective November 1, 2016 was proper due to his incarceration for more than 60 days following conviction of a felony offense. The appeal is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 13, 2018 for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for a skin disability and increased rating for migraine headaches is being remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The AOJ will obtain additional evidence, schedule examinations, and provide adequate VA opinions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appeals to sever service connection for bladder cancer, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and a dental condition secondary to AML. The reasons given are that there was no clear and unmistakable error in granting these conditions of service connection.
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.