The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a current link between any claimed conditions and his active service.
The deciding factor: The service treatment records do not show any treatment for ear infections, balance impairment, muscle rigidity, constipation, erectile dysfunction, or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's statements were insufficient to establish the onset of these conditions during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic left ear infection, Balance impairment associated with Parkinson disease, Muscle rigidity in left lower extremity, Muscle rigidity in right lower extremity, Constipation, Erectile dysfunction, Diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18161198
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 18161198.
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
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's September 4, 2024 HLR request was improperly rejected by the AOJ. The Board finds that the request is timely and valid, and reinstates the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of development related to Agent Orange exposure and solvent/asbestos exposure.
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