The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.
The deciding factor: There is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, as there are no records of such events in the Veteran's service treatment or personnel records and official sources were unable to corroborate the claimed stressors through review of additional military records. The Veteran's reports of his stressors are inconsistent and contradictory.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension Headaches, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Status Post Repair, Left Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis with Degenerative Changes, Hypertension, Residuals of a Repaired Ventricle Hernia, Chronic Body Rash Disorder, Bilateral Knee Disorder, Right Ankle Status-Post GSW with Calcaneal Tendonitis, Left Ankle Achilles Calcaneal Tendonitis, Right Foot Disorder, Tinea Pedis, Toenail Fungus, and Plantar Warts
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1548546
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 1548546.
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 claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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