The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left ear hearing loss is being reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there are insufficient medical records and a new VA examination is needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was reopened based on the submission of new evidence showing presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board found that this evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction is remanded as there are insufficient medical records and a VA examination is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18102281
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 18102281.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.