The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and malignant melanoma were denied as these conditions are not related to his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and thus there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides. The secondary service connection claims for CAD, diabetic retinopathy (claimed as blindness), peripheral neuropathy, and renal insufficiency were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's active duty service was not in the Republic of Vietnam during the period when Agent Orange use was known to have occurred. Therefore, there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides for these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a connection between his current diagnoses and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type 2, malignant melanoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2011
- Citation
- 1104813
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1104813.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has vacated the January 2026 decision granting service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to fraudulent evidence. The Veteran's claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his diabetes to service or a service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her scars has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and Agent Orange during service. The claims are now pending for further development.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.