The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to be related to his service, allowing for service connection.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is also determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. All reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and depressive disorder, with credible supporting evidence that these conditions are related to service events.,The VA examiner's opinion supported by other medical records indicates that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his diabetes mellitus type II.,Given the relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is due to his diabetes, all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, 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
- November 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1041897
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 1041897.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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