The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it etiologically related to service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to Agent Orange is denied as there was no confirmed in-country herbicide exposure and the Veteran's current condition does not meet presumptive criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have active service in Vietnam or any other location where herbicides were used. There is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not manifest within one year of his separation from service. The Board found that tinnitus was etiologically related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1444731
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 1444731.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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