The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.

The deciding factor: The new evidence includes diagnoses of depression and PTSD dated in January 2017, and a January 2019 private opinion that links the Veteran's PTSD to service.,The new evidence includes VA treatment records showing complaints of ankle pain and gout attacks during service. However, no nexus evidence linking these conditions to service was provided.,VA treatment records show progression of arthritis in both knees post-service. The February 2008 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's joint complaints were less likely than not related to service and more likely due to his work history.,The new evidence includes a March 2015 VA examination stating that the current bilateral elbow disorder is unrelated to service, based on the absence of progressive or chronic conditions during service and the possibility of injuries sustained in construction work post-service.,No nexus evidence linking the left hand disorder to service was provided. The Veteran's contention aligns with his previous claims without supporting new evidence.,The new evidence includes a March 2015 VA examination stating that the current carpal tunnel syndrome is unrelated to service, based on the absence of progressive or chronic conditions during service and the possibility of work-related injuries post-service.,No nexus evidence linking disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers to service was provided. The Veteran's contention aligns with his previous claims without supporting new evidence.,The new evidence includes a January 2019 private opinion stating that the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to service, based on nexus evidence linking it to service.

Claimed conditions

tinnitus, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD))

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

June 19, 2020

Citation

20042003

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 20042003.