The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 23, 2003 for the grant of service connection for hypertension and higher initial disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the application of 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c) due to missing relevant service department records at the time of the August 2004 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes and hypertension.

Claimed conditions

hypertension, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 4, 2025

Citation

A25095472

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine