The Board denied service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis, chronic meniscal tear instability. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis, chronic meniscal tear limitation of flexion was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that obesity is not a disability for VA purposes and the evidence did not support service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's range of motion on flexion was limited to no less than 120 degrees, which does not warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.
- Claimed conditions
- obesity, diabetes mellitus, posttraumatic arthritis, chronic meniscal tear
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125391
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a restoration of the separate 10 percent rating for vertigo, an earlier effective date for service connection for vertigo and migraines, and a 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism with heart murmur. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for hypertension and remanded claims for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability.
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