Service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, lung disorder, and scars of the forearm and ankles is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) is granted.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to in-service events or injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Ankle Disorder, Lung Disorder (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Bronchitis), Scars of the Forearm and Ankles, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Major Depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18124060
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18124060.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic disabilities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 6, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD but denied for a heart disorder. The issues regarding the relationship between service-connected knee disability and the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disorders are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders due to insufficient development in prior decisions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information regarding his service stressors and other medical records. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide authorization for additional treatment records, as well as requests for verification of alleged stressors.
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