The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a chest condition, diabetic retinopathy, and gastrointestinal disability (claimed as gastroenteritis), were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as a result of diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied due to lack of competent evidence establishing a nexus between the claimed disabilities and service. The Board found that peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was at least as likely as not related to diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction was at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service.
- Claimed conditions
- chest condition, diabetic retinopathy, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as gastroenteritis), upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2014
- Citation
- 1416348
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 1416348.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
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