The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, and an eye disorder are granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during his military service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Korea near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is a recognized basis for presumptive service connection under VA law.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus, type 2, Eye disorder (secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0903323
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support the need for insulin or episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.
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