The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right hand disability, and left shoulder disability were denied. The claim for headaches was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Ratings for the right foot and left shoulder disabilities remain at their current levels.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder to his military service or any in-service stressor, thus denying service connection. The claims for a right hand disability and headaches were not supported by new and material evidence. The ratings for the left shoulder and right foot disabilities remained unchanged as they are within their current ranges.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), Right hand disability, Left shoulder disability with left trapezius strain, Metatarsalgia, right foot, Fracture, proximal phalanx of right thumb with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1502979
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 1502979.
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 Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, neck disorder, back disorder, left-hand disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral knee disorders.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder based on a June 2020 claim is denied.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as well as a TERA examination for frequent urination.
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