The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition. The claim for erectile dysfunction was dismissed due to lack of case or controversy.,Service connection for PTSD and MDD remains at 50 percent, but the Veteran asserts that he deserves a higher rating. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted from February 27, 2007.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner’s opinion regarding causation or aggravation.,Service connection for hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran's essential hypertension emerged prior to his diabetes diagnosis.,A VA cold weather injury examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left hand disorder due to frostbite and service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran’s right hand disorder claim was remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has trigger finger, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains denied due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding causation or aggravation.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's claim for periodontal disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran’s PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 50 percent, but he asserts that they warrant a higher rating. The Board determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted from February 27, 2007 due to the severity of his symptoms.,The VA examiner's opinion regarding causation or aggravation was inadequate and thus an addendum opinion is needed.,There is no evidence of secondary service connection for hypertension. The Veteran’s essential hypertension emerged prior to his diabetes diagnosis.,A VA cold weather injury examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left hand disorder due to frostbite and service-connected diabetes.,The right hand disorder claim was remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has trigger finger, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains denied due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding causation or aggravation.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also remanded as there is no evidence of secondary service connection. The Veteran asserts that he has bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but this condition may be related to his service-connected diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- Periodontal disease, Erectile dysfunction, Sleep disorder, Hypertension, Left hand disorder, Right hand disorder, Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153378
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 18153378.
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).
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The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
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