The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, a right elbow condition, left and right knee conditions, cervical spine condition, dermal rash on both legs, type II diabetes mellitus, and low back strain with degenerative changes has been granted. The Veteran’s current disability of low back strain with degenerative changes is rated at 20 percent effective June 11, 2012.,The issue of entitlement to compensable initial ratings for left and right shoulder tendonitis remains pending.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the Veteran's current disabilities as having manifested within a year of discharge from active duty. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension (HTN), and low back strain with degenerative changes.,The medical evidence shows periods in which the Veteran’s diastolic blood pressure readings have been lower than 100. However, the Board finds that the history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requiring continuous medication for control within a year of discharge from active duty supports service connection for HTN.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension (HTN), Low Back Strain with Degenerative Changes, Type II Diabetes Mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19139453
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19139453.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Erectile Dysfunction, and Bladder Cancer in remission. Effective dates have been set for these awards as of July 14, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding obesity as an intermediate step in causing or aggravating these conditions, and because of potential toxic exposure during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal before the Board could make a decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, as it is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and less probative due to its failure to provide a direct service connection opinion or an aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.
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