The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic stroke, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), and atrophoderma disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service. A psychiatric disorder was remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record failed to establish a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and their period of active duty, including any toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type 2, Ischemic stroke, Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), Atrophoderma disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25037656
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 claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy, to further investigate potential exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, a heart condition as secondary to hypertension, and lower extremity vascular disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities and amputation of toes were also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. However, the claims for a neck condition, COPD, gall bladder removal, and chronic kidney disease were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for the cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, as the VA examinations are inadequate.
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