The veteran's claim of service connection for Reiter's syndrome was denied in August 1997, and he did not appeal this decision within the required timeframe. The RO granted service connection for Reiter's syndrome in May 2002 with an effective date of March 2, 2001, based on his request to reopen the claim.
The deciding factor: The veteran failed to timely appeal the August 1997 denial and did not submit new and material evidence within one year. The RO granted service connection in May 2002 with an effective date of March 2, 2001, based on his request to reopen the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Reiter's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2005
- Citation
- 0502107
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,699 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0502107.
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 claims for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, Reiter's syndrome, and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and that his service-connected disabilities do not warrant an earlier effective date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of August 2, 2012 for the establishment of service connection for Reiter's syndrome with degenerative arthritis of cervical spine and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Reiter's syndrome and granted service connection for ulcerative colitis as secondary to Reiter's syndrome, effective December 11, 2001.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected Reiter's syndrome and foot disabilities.
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.