The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received within the appeal period, allowing for a reopening of the claim of service connection for asbestosis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. His diabetic nephropathy is also presumed to be related to his diabetes. However, there is no indication that his right knee disability is service-connected.
The deciding factor: The Board found new and material evidence for the asbestosis claim, allowing it to be reopened. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, meeting the presumptive criteria. His diabetic nephropathy is also presumed related to his diabetes. However, there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct service connection for his right knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic nephropathy or renal dysfunction, right knee disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2015
- Citation
- 1552545
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 1552545.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.
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