The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease with hypertension (to include as secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, a skin disorder related to Agent Orange exposure, and hematuria. The reasons were that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors supporting the diagnosis of PTSD, no causal relationship between the current heart condition and service-connected disorders, no compensable hearing loss during the first post-service year, no proof of in-service exposure to an herbicide agent for any claimed conditions, and no disability found for hematuria.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. The heart condition was not shown to be related to service-connected disorders or secondary to PTSD. Hearing loss and hematuria were not found to be present during the first post-service year, nor did they meet the criteria for disability under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0204916
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 0204916.
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 Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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