The veteran's claims for service connection for familial adenosis polyposis syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and PTSD were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence indicated that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was causally related to an October 2004 Whipple procedure for nonservice-connected familial adenosis polyposis syndrome with colon cancer, and not secondary to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The record contained no probative evidence of peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, or PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- familial adenosis polyposis syndrome with colon cancer, resection of large intestines, total colectomy, pancreatic duodenectomy, and esophagitis gastritis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, coronary artery disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2008
- Citation
- 0816693
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 for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- 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)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
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