The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative bone disease and mental dysfunction, claimed as residuals of radiation exposure, were denied due to lack of evidence of exposure. The claim for increased rating for varicose veins of the left leg was also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's conditions to radiation exposure or service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative bone disease, mental dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0211171
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 0211171.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for degenerative bone disease is granted. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, cold injury residuals, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder of the feet, fibromyalgia, stroke with left-side balance impairment, headaches (migraines), degenerative bone disease, heart disability, muscle pain and soreness, and a left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to failure to adjudicate an intertwined issue of service connection for degenerative bone disease due to ionizing radiation. The SMC based on need for aid and attendance claim is also being remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, gout, degenerative bone disease, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as allergies) due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.
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