The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support direct service connection for shortness of breath, as it did not occur during service or be related to Agent Orange exposure. For diabetes mellitus, the Board noted that the veteran's disability does not require restriction of activities and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a current respiratory disorder manifested by shortness of breath, nor was there any evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure. For diabetes mellitus, the Board found that the veteran's disability did not require regulation of activities and thus did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- shortness of breath, diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2006
- Citation
- 0604431
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine condition, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lumbar spine condition, and urinary frequency and voiding condition as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by bilateral leg pain, bilateral hand tremors, sinus problems, shortness of breath and recurrent transient ear noise due to Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for CFS.
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