The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, skin rashes of the head and face, respiratory disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder disorder (claimed as skin/nerve movements), ear disorder (claimed as ear aches, diagnosed as otitis externa), sleep disorder (claimed as insomnia/hypersomnia, diagnosed as sleep apnea), and vision problems. The Board found no objective evidence of these conditions during service or since service that could be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs were negative for any complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities. There was also no medical evidence indicating that any of the Veteran's current conditions may be etiologically associated with any in-service event, injury, or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- pseudofolliculitis barbae, skin rashes of the head and face, respiratory disorder (upper respiratory infections), chronic headaches, right shoulder disorder (claimed as skin/nerve movements), ear disorder (claimed as ear aches, diagnosed as otitis externa), sleep disorder (claimed as insomnia/hypersomnia, diagnosed as sleep apnea), vision problems
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1338995
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 1338995.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's effective date for service connection of left leg amputation and associated scars, as well as SMC based on loss of use of the left leg, is set to January 28, 2022. The effective date for DEA eligibility is also set to January 28, 2022. An effective date prior to January 28, 2022, was denied for service connection of chronic headaches.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for chronic headaches and restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for the service-connected left wrist strain are granted.,The appeal to restore a higher disability rating for the broken right foot is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's vision problems, which may be related to his service-connected conditions.
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