The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee disability was found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. However, there is no probative evidence of herbicide exposure in service and thus diabetes mellitus type II cannot be presumed as related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee disability (degenerative joint disease, DJD status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy), diabetes mellitus type II, left ankle condition, left foot condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, lumbar spine condition (degenerative disc and joint disease, DJD with history of laminectomy and fusion), cervical spine condition (degenerative disc disease, DDD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2015
- Citation
- 1512807
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 1512807.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left ankle condition have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.
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