The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied because new and relevant evidence had not been submitted.,Service connection for hypertension and OSA secondary to the service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for PFB is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The new and relevant evidence submitted since the March 2015 rating decision does not address the previously deficient criteria for service connection, specifically the in-service incurrence or nexus between diabetes mellitus and service.,There is no persuasive evidence showing a relationship between hypertension, OSA, and/or depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Veteran's testimony regarding consumption of high-sugar foods during service is not competent to establish a nexus as it does not address the reasons for the prior denial of service connection for diabetes mellitus by the March 2015 rating decision.,There is no current diagnosis of PFB in the medical records, and there is insufficient evidence showing continuity of symptoms from service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2022
- Citation
- A22021800
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 A22021800.
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
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The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Partly granted
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- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
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