The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran died from cardiorespiratory arrest due to congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arterial hypertension. His type II diabetes mellitus is a presumptive disease.
The deciding factor: The service member's death was due to ischemic heart disease, which is a presumed disease related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam where he may have been exposed to chemical dioxins (Agent Orange).
- Claimed conditions
- Type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity associated with type II diabetes mellitus, Carcinoma of the colon with metastasis to the liver and sternum
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2012
- Citation
- 1201183
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 1201183.
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 Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Udorn RTAFB and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that his service-connected left ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee pain, left hip pain, and loss of use of the left big toe disabilities have caused him to become obese, which in turn led to his development of type II diabetes mellitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the March 2025 decision. The Board requires a medical opinion from CEAT regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.
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.