The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and no current evidence linking the condition to service.,High cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding and not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,For the period prior to August 14, 2014, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder meets criteria for a rating of 70 percent but no higher.,Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a skin disability other than PFB (likely PFB) is remanded as there are no current findings or diagnoses supporting this claim.,Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.
The deciding factor: The July 1992 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is final, and new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.,There is no in-service diagnosis or treatment record linking the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders to his military service. The condition may be related to non-service-related factors such as exposure to environmental irritants.,High cholesterol is a laboratory finding and not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,The acquired psychiatric disorder meets criteria for a rating of 70 percent but no higher, based on current symptoms and occupational/social impairment.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's sleep apnea to his military service.,Service connection for a skin disability other than PFB (likely PFB) cannot be established as there are no current findings or diagnoses supporting this claim.,The criteria for TDIU were not met due to insufficient evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Bilateral eye disorder, High cholesterol, Acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD or another anxiety/depression-related condition), Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), Hypertension, Skin disability other than PFB
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19159929
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,820 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19159929.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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.