The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.,No VA examination was required as there is no indication of an event, injury, or disease occurring in service. The Veteran's reports of exposure to herbicides are deemed not credible.,The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or within one year after service discharge.
The deciding factor: There is no probative value to the Veteran’s lay statements regarding in-service injury or disease, and his medical opinion has no probative value as it requires medical knowledge and understanding of the bodily systems at play and their disease causes.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, gout, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080318
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
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