The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and a heart disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a medical nexus to active duty service. Claims for residuals of a leg injury, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, frostbite of the left hand and foot, and arthritis of all major joints have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied because there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a medical nexus to active duty service for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and heart disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since discharge from service were not credible, given the significant gaps in time between separation from service and reported onset of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression), Heart Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2010
- Citation
- 1015648
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1015648.
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 Board has remanded the service connection claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Disorder due to a duty to assist error in obtaining opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and OSA, as secondary to a heart disorder due to incomplete records and failure to consider all relevant in-service exposures. The Veteran's exposure to PFAS at Robins AFB is acknowledged, but further development is needed to address his COPD and smoking history.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart disorder is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2020 VA medical opinion, which did not adequately address the Veteran's assertions regarding the carelessness or negligence of his health care providers and the failure to diagnose and treat his heart condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, characterized as an exercise induced left bundle branch block, began during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.
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