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Granted

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The deciding factor: The submitted evidence does not provide a clear link between the claimed conditions and service.

Claimed conditions
Heart condition, Right ankle disability, Left ankle disability, Diabetes mellitus, Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, Diabetic retinopathy, Kidney condition, Vertigo, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Gout, Lung disability manifested by spots in the lung, Neurological condition manifested by tremors, Sleep apnea, Left shoulder disability, Hypertension, Erectile dysfunction, Left hip disability, Right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
June 6, 2019
Citation
19143420

Veterans Law Judge

John J. Crowley

Decisions by this judge: 3,319 · Granted: 25% (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 19143420.

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