The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus based on herbicide exposure, cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus, fungal infection secondary to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or its inland waterways, nor was he exposed to herbicide agents during service. The Board found no evidence supporting presumed exposure to herbicides based on his service aboard the USS Rogers and USS Princeton.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Diabetes Mellitus, Cataracts, Fungal Infection, Peripheral Neuropathy of Left Upper Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of Right Upper Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of Left Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18119289
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 18119289.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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