The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by diabetes mellitus type 2, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s back disorder is remanded for further development of evidence regarding in-service and post-service pain.,The Veteran’s left ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing his reports of ankle pain following service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing the relationship between favoring his left ankle and his current right ankle disorder.,The Veteran’s tuberculosis claim requires a VA examination to determine if it may be related to in-service treatment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.,The Veteran’s skin disorder is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether his lay statements of continued symptoms since service are supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the possibility of prior diagnoses related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 rating claim is remanded for assignment of an effective date prior to March 14, 2006.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for initial ratings and effective dates.,The Veteran’s back examination will include assessment of any neuropathy symptoms related to the back.

The deciding factor: The weight of evidence is against a nexus between hypertension and service, Agent Orange exposure, or diabetes. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's age and race are more likely contributors to his hypertension.,Evidence regarding in-service and post-service pain should be addressed for the Veteran’s back disorder claim.,Medical opinion required regarding whether the Veteran experienced ankle pain following service for his left ankle disorder claim.,A medical opinion is needed on whether favoring of the left ankle caused or aggravated the right ankle disorder.,The Veteran's tuberculosis claim requires a VA examination to determine if it may be related to in-service treatment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.,An addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran’s lay statements of continued symptoms since service are supported by medical evidence for his skin disorder claim.,A medical opinion is needed on whether the Veteran had prior diagnoses related to PTSD or another trauma-related or stressor-related disorder in the past for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) claim.,An earlier effective date of March 14, 2006, for diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted. The Veteran's increased rating claims are remanded to assign a rating for the period from March 14, 2006, to April 26, 2009.,Initial ratings and effective dates are required for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity claims.,A VA examination will include assessment of any neuropathy symptoms related to the back.

Claimed conditions

hypertension, back disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, tuberculosis, skin disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 18, 2018

Citation

18143263

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 18143263.