The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (type II) on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claims of service connection for neuropathy affecting the feet and vision problems have been reopened, but further development is needed before final adjudication can be made.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's personnel records show he served in Vietnam as an aircraft maintenance technician, which raises a reasonable doubt that he was exposed to herbicide agents. As such, his diabetes mellitus (type II) is presumed due to exposure to herbicides in service.
- Claimed conditions
- neuropathy of the right foot, neuropathy of the left foot, diabetes mellitus (type II), vision problems
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2015
- Citation
- 1506088
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 1506088.
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 decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's vision problems, which may be related to his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate TERA opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes. The claim will be returned for further review and an addendum opinion from a clinician.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, metatarsalgia of both feet, plantar fasciitis of both feet, and neuropathy of both feet have been granted effective July 14, 2014. The Veteran also received a separate rating for hammertoes of the right foot (10%) and left foot (10%), as well as arthritis of the first MTP joint of the right and left foot (10%).
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for OSA and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied, with no evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.
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