Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, chronic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and anxiety), and insomnia. The Veteran's claims are not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims for chronic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and anxiety), and insomnia. The Veteran's assertions regarding his pre-service history of these conditions do not constitute clear and unmistakable evidence that they existed prior to service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, chronic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and anxiety), insomnia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18118531
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 18118531.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no evidence of a current disability in the record.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection of insomnia was denied, and the effective date is set to the date of receipt of the claim (May 31, 2024).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.
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