The Veteran's claims for low back pain and a lung condition were denied in an April 2015 rating decision. The claim for low back pain was not reopened, while the claim for a lung condition was reopened.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not find any evidence linking the Veteran's current asthma to service. The Veteran had no history of smoking and his symptoms appeared years after exposure to cold air in Alaska.,There is no direct evidence linking diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, or obstructive sleep apnea to service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Low back pain"}, {"condition_name":"Lung condition (asthma)"}, {"condition_name":"Diabetes mellitus"}, {"condition_name":"Right lower extremity neuropathy"}, {"condition_name":"Left lower extremity neuropathy"}, {"condition_name":"Obstructive sleep apnea"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19131386
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 claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- 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 appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.