Service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and hypertension is denied. The claim for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and major depressive) is remanded.,The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the claims for service connection being remanded.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or hypertension during active duty training. The appellant's assertions are not supported by medical records.,The claim for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and major depressive) requires verification of the traumatic incident described by the appellant.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and major depressive)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142789
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 18142789.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
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