The claim for service connection for pancreatitis has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented. Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II with minimal background retinopathy and cataracts, but no higher or earlier rating is warranted. Ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and erectile dysfunction.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted includes a VA record indicating that the appellant's diabetes mellitus type II was due to pancreatic failure, which could be related to pancreatitis. The Board finds this evidence sufficient to reopen the claim and grant service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with minimal background retinopathy and cataracts.
- Claimed conditions
- pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 24, 2009
- Citation
- 0923854
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0923854.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
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