The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various disabilities, including erectile dysfunction as a complication of type II diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence or communication prior to May 19, 2022, that could be reasonably construed as a claim of entitlement to benefits showing a current disability of erectile dysfunction that began within one year of the application date.
- Claimed conditions
- type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (as a complication of type II diabetes), tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, left herniorrhaphy scar, peripheral neuropathy of the median, radial, and ulnar nerves of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the median, radial, and ulnar nerves of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022285
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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