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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21030988.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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