The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sick sinus syndrome and for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the March 10, 2010 rating decision that granted TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a plausible basis for awarding TDIU based solely on PTSD or for granting special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- sick sinus syndrome, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus, right ulnar neuritis associated with diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, low back strain, left hearing loss, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1732768
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 1732768.
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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.