The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including back and wrist disabilities, gout, duodenal ulcer, chronic respiratory infections, or bronchitis. The Veteran's claims are denied.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of any current disability related to his active service, with the exception of PTSD, which was found based on credible lay testimony from a VA psychiatrist. Service connection cannot be granted for back and wrist disabilities as there is no medical evidence showing onset during or within one year after service. Gout has not been documented in his records since he filed his claim. Duodenal ulcer symptoms are not supported by the record, and chronic respiratory infections and bronchitis have not been substantiated.
- Claimed conditions
- Back disability, Right wrist disability, Gout, Duodenal ulcer (peptic ulcer disease), Chronic upper respiratory infection (respiratory disability), Chronic bronchitis, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1116534
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 1116534.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to incomplete service records and failure to consider all available evidence, including in-service treatment records from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
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