The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was dismissed due to the absence of a controversy at issue. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with bilateral nuclear cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction was denied as his diabetes does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes did not require insulin or regulation of activities to meet the criteria for a higher rating. His complications (diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) are considered part of the diabetic process and thus do not warrant separate ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, diabetes mellitus with bilateral nuclear cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21031692
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 21031692.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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