The Veteran's left great toe amputation is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure) and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted an increased rating to 40 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to his service-connected herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: For the left great toe amputation and heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure), the evidence shows that these conditions are related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was incurred in service. For peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, the evidence shows a connection between the condition and his diabetes mellitus. Erectile dysfunction is also linked to his diabetes mellitus. The hypertension is granted due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for left great toe amputation, heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure), bilateral peripheral vascular disease, erectile dysfunction, and increased rating for diabetes mellitus are all granted based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions or presumptive exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- left great toe amputation, heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure), peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18124858
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 18124858.
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 Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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