The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, the cause of death (endstage Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus), and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service near the DMZ. Given this exposure, his diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to service. His bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are also presumptively related to diabetes mellitus.,His hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, cause of death (endstage Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2018
- Citation
- 1800721
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 1800721.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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