The Board found that the Veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and thus exposure to herbicide agents cannot be presumed. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's DM was incurred or manifested within one year from separation of service. As such, the claim for service connection for DM is denied.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no confirmation of service in Vietnam, and therefore exposure to herbicide agents could not be presumed. The evidence did not show a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II (DM), bilateral hand numbness, bilateral foot numbness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1749138
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 1749138.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, and also granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the right upper, right lower, left upper, and left lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty at Fort McClellan. The Board also found support for secondary service connection for diabetic neuropathy of various extremities, peripheral vascular disease, and gastroparesis as secondary to DM.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memoranda. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new TERA memorandum considering all toxic exposures the Veteran was subject to as an aviation machinist mate/jet engine mechanic.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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