The Board has denied service connection for vision loss in the right eye, atherosclerosis with peripheral vascular disease, bilateral hip disorder secondary to bi-femoral graft surgery, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or mercury toxicity from amalgam fillings received during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's disabilities were not related to mercury toxicity from mercury amalgam fillings as the medical evidence or research did not support etiological associations.
- Claimed conditions
- vision loss in the right eye, atherosclerosis, to include peripheral vascular disease, bilateral hip disorder, to include a bilateral leg disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21028739
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 21028739.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
Effective dates of February 23, 2023 have been granted for the award of service connection for right shoulder separation, diabetes, dry eyes, peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the feet as secondary to that condition. The claims for hypertension, heart disease, colon cancer, and skin cancer were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence demonstrating a link between the condition and 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.