The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, and the increased rating for his left eye disability remains at 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran set foot in Vietnam during his military service, presumptively exposing him to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. His current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus aligns with this presumption. The VA has also determined that he is entitled to a 40 percent rating for his left eye disability based on the severity of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, retinal scar with heavy traction bands with impaired vision
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0948185
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 0948185.
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.
- 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 Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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