The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the PTSD claim. The right ankle and knee disability claims were denied, as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim, and there is no causal relationship between service and these disabilities. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD. For the right ankle and knee disability claims, new evidence was submitted but it did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The service connection criteria were not met due to lack of causal relationship between service and these disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Ankle Disability, Right Knee Disability, Hearing Loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1526580
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 1526580.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
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