Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, varicose veins of the right lower extremity, and varicose veins of the left lower extremity as there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current conditions were less likely than not related to his in-service toxic exposures and other risk factors such as age, smoking history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle were more significant contributors to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, varicose veins, right lower extremity, varicose veins, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25109368
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