The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, impaired eyesight (diabetic retinopathy), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral upper extremity are all granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan, which precludes presumptive service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, impaired eyesight (diabetic retinopathy), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral upper extremity is granted as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, diabetes mellitus, impaired eyesight (diabetic retinopathy), peripheral neuropathy (right lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20032027
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 20032027.
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 of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- 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.
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