The Board denied service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hammer toe of the left fifth digit, right knee disability, and left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability.,Service connection was granted for a left great toe disability with arthritis.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show any neurological disabilities in service or within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's STRs are silent for reports of or treatment for these conditions, and the earliest post-service medical evidence is dated no earlier than 2000.,There is no competent opinion linking the bilateral knee conditions to military service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- neurological disability of the right upper extremity, neurological disability of the left upper extremity, neurological disability of the right lower extremity, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hammer toe of the left fifth digit, right knee disability, left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18156593
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 18156593.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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