The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot numbness, diabetes mellitus, pseudomonas bacterial infection, nocardia bacterial infection, kidney disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and necrotizing lymphadenitis are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or chronicity within one year post-service separation.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied because he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition. The Board found that his intermittent episodes of low glucose levels were due to idiopathic thrombocytopenia, not diabetes.,For pseudomonas bacterial infection, nocardia bacterial infection, kidney disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and necrotizing lymphadenitis, the Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any diagnoses of these conditions. None manifested to a compensable degree within one year post-service separation.,The Board found that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or during the presumptive period.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be granted as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral foot numbness, diabetes mellitus, pseudomonas bacterial infection, nocardia bacterial infection, kidney disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and necrotizing lymphadenitis. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for these conditions, and none manifested to a compensable degree within one year post-service separation.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. His intermittent episodes of low glucose levels were due to idiopathic thrombocytopenia, not diabetes. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted on this basis either.,For pseudomonas bacterial infection, nocardia bacterial infection, kidney disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and necrotizing lymphadenitis, the Veteran's service treatment records are negative for these conditions. None manifested to a compensable degree within one year post-service separation. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted on this basis either.,There is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or during the presumptive period.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot numbness, diabetes mellitus, nocardia bacterial infection, pseudomonas bacterial infection, kidney disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, necrotizing lymphadenitis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20025185
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20025185.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.