The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disability (claimed as due to exposure to asbestos), and low back injury residuals were denied. The claim for higher initial rating for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.
The deciding factor: There is no clear evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the presumption of exposure does not apply given the Veteran's lack of presence on landmass or inland waters of Vietnam. The private physician's opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure is considered insufficient to establish service connection for diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, respiratory disability (claimed as due to exposure to asbestos), low back injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1404289
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 1404289.
What this means for you
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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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