The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is also granted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy (residuals of retinal detachment and cataracts with pseudophakia) remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the appellant's tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,For the remaining eye disability claim (bilateral eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy), additional development is required as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19104266
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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 tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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