The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the current disabilities were related to service. The Veteran's contentions regarding the presence of symptoms were considered but found less credible than the objective findings from VA medical professionals.,VA examiners provided opinions stating there was no evidence linking the claimed disabilities to service, including as a result of an in-service nasal trauma or asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, eye disability (blurred vision), sinus disability, pulmonary disability, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder), PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18160002
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 18160002.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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