The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied astigmatism and mental condition claims has been granted. However, the service connection for a mental condition remains denied.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease on the left side of the body is also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or any other diagnosable mental disorder and thus cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- astigmatism, degenerative joint disease (emphasis on left side), mental condition
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1644003
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 1644003.
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 withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions in April 2024 and March 2025, thus dismissing the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left leg scar, right leg scar, and scars on right arm due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims for astigmatism, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other scars are not granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's legal blindness and related conditions are service-connected, as they were caused by her active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service from February 2010 to March 2010.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including testimony from a June 2024 Board hearing. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining a VA examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.