The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.,Prior to April 26, 2014, the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were rated at 40 percent. From that date forward, he is rated at 60 percent. The Board finds these ratings are appropriate based on his symptoms and treatment needs.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating as it can be managed with medication.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's Paget's disease to service or exposure to herbicides, thus denying service connection for this condition.,While there is some medical opinion suggesting a possible link between the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and his active duty service, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support such a finding.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus type II was managed by restricted diet without requiring insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. The current rating is appropriate as it reflects his condition's severity.,Prior to April 26, 2014, the Veteran required absorbent materials changed between two and four times a day for urinary incontinence. After that date, he needed more frequent changes (more than four times per day) during flare-ups. The current ratings are appropriate based on his symptoms.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating as it can be managed with medication and there is no physical deformity noted.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s Paget's disease to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support such a finding.,While some medical opinions suggest a possible link between the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and his active duty service, there is no direct evidence linking it to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection must be denied.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, residuals of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, Paget's disease, thoracolumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1742175
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1742175.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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