The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were not supported by medical evidence linking the disorders to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that this condition began during or was related to his active duty.
The deciding factor: The Board found no persuasive medical evidence connecting the claimed bilateral shoulder, ankle, and foot disorders to service. The examiner concluded these conditions were more likely due to natural aging.,For PTSD, the Board noted insufficient evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's assertions were deemed less credible than the provided medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23041926
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 23041926.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claim for PTSD and multiple other conditions is dismissed due to a procedural defect. The Veteran's authorized representative at the time the appeal was submitted did not have the authority to file the appeal.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, gout, multiple painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder.,Service connection is also granted for these conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination, and therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
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