The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of current disabilities related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Bilateral hearing loss disorder, Sleep disorder, Right upper extremity disorder, Left upper extremity disorder, Right lower extremity disorder, Left lower extremity disorder, Gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and gastritis), Right ankle disorder, Left ankle disorder, Right knee disorder, Left knee disorder, Cervical spine disorder, Right hip disorder, Left hip disorder, Acquired psychiatric disorder (likely secondary to COPD), Erectile dysfunction (ED) (secondary to medication for a psychiatric disorder and hypertension), Cardiovascular disorder (pericarditis), Hypertension, Eye disorder (allergic conjunctivitis and sensitivity to light)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1726441
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1726441.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- 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.
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.