The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chloracne, soft tissue sarcoma, Graves' disease, cervical spine disorder, and PTSD were denied. The ratings for essential hypertension with ocular changes, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no medical evidence showing a relationship between his claimed conditions and military service, including exposure to herbicides. The hypertension with ocular changes is not disabling enough for a higher rating, the heart disease does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and the peripheral neuropathies are mild.
- Claimed conditions
- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chloracne, soft tissue sarcoma, Graves' disease, cervical spine disorder, PTSD, essential hypertension with ocular changes, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0907314
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 claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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