The Board has determined that service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic ulcers, diabetic retinopathy, and renal disease cannot be granted as they are not related to service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is more likely due to hereditary hemochromatosis than to in-service Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is caused by hereditary hemochromatosis rather than any minimal in-service Agent Orange exposure, and service connection for diabetes mellitus as presumptively due to presumed in-service Agent Orange exposure or directly related to service is rebutted.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic ulcers, diabetic retinopathy, renal disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2014
- Citation
- 1446039
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 1446039.
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).
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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