The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BUE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral CTS at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's bilateral eye conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
The deciding factor: The Board finds the examiner's opinion to be competent, credible, and highly probative. The examiner reviewed the pertinent evidence, accounted for the Veteran's credible statements, then provided an opinion based on the evidence and medical principles.,There is no evidence of record that the Veteran suffered from BUE/BLE PN during service. In fact, during the July 2022 VA examination, the Veteran reported that the pain and tingling in his hand, fingers, and feet began around twenty years ago.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (LLE PN), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (RLE PN), left upper extremity radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy (LUE), right upper extremity radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy (RUE), right hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), bilateral eye conditions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23009486
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 23009486.
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
The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's cause of death due to these conditions is also recognized.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim for glaucoma has been denied as not related to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for heart failure is granted secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (LLE PN), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (RLE PN), and thyroid cancer for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to his exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan (FTMC) in Anniston, AL.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain relevant exposure information. The AOJ is instructed to conduct additional development as outlined in the decision.
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.