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

Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A22021800.