The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and private treatment records provided no objective medical evidence demonstrating that the Veteran's conditions warranted a higher disability rating, nor did they provide any evidence linking his symptoms to exposure to hazardous environments.
- Claimed conditions
- headache syndrome/migraines, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, dermatomycosis tinea versicolor, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, cervical degenerative changes, spondylosis, right shin splint and stress fracture, residuals of a left bicep muscle rupture and repair, left carpal tunnel/cubital tunnel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychiatric disorder (including obsessive compulsive disorder, claustrophobia, depression, sleep impairment, panic/anxiety attacks, memory problems)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1606657
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 1606657.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient verification of stressor incidents.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes type II as secondary to a service-connected disability and an initial 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, subject to the regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.
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