The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, dermatitis, and increased evaluations for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the left elbow with retained metallic fragments, and gunshot wound to the right posterior thigh were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any current disabilities related to service or exposure to herbicides, and the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD prior to October 25, 2000.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss, Dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2002
- Citation
- 0214572
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0214572.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of August 6, 2012.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a higher rating for hypertension but granted a 10% rating for the left (minor) long/middle finger, while denying compensable ratings for the other fingers and dermatitis.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 25, 2020, for the award of a 30 percent rating for dermatitis and psoriasis.
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