The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of cold injury to the feet, and other psychiatric disorders were denied as there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or diagnosis of residuals of cold injury to the feet. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout was denied as there is no evidence showing that his gout initially manifested during service, nor did it have a nexus with service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the new and material evidence received since the final August 2000 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for PTSD, residuals of cold injury to the feet, or other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show a diagnosis of PTSD or residuals of cold injury to the feet, and there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD.,The Board also found that the new and material evidence received since the final August 2000 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for gout. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any diagnosis of gout, nor was there a nexus between his current gout and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of Cold Injury to the Feet, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, other than PTSD, Gout, Left Wrist Disability, Left Knee Disability, Right Foot Disability, Left Foot Disability, Bilateral Hip Disorders, Bilateral Leg Disabilities, Sinus Disorder (including Sinusitis), Headache Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21030988
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 21030988.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
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