The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The claims were not granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic prostatitis with benign prostatic hypertrophy and urethritis, Diabetes mellitus with hypertension and nephropathy, Bilateral diabetic retinopathy with mild diabetic macular edema, left eye, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Erectile dysfunction (ED), Exerosis, Right ureterolithiasis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2016
- Citation
- 1604006
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 1604006.
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 has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gouty arthropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran's request for a referral to a urologist for ED is also remanded. A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gouty arthropathy and his service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board found that the discontinuance of SMC for LOU of both buttocks was proper because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for LOU of both buttocks.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 70 percent for cognitive impairment with sleep disturbance associated with Parkinson's disease is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent prior to August 24, 2024 and 40 percent thereafter. Tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. ED is denied.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for GERD, higher ratings for lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, and ED. The Veteran's ED is found to be caused by his service-connected hypertension.
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