The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty service in Vietnam or Okinawa, Japan. However, the evidence did not support his claim of combat service in Vietnam, nor did it confirm his exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to establish that he engaged in combat with the enemy and was exposed to herbicides during his active duty service, which is required for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act. His inconsistent statements regarding his service history weakened the presumption of exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, heart disability, kidney disability, urinary disability, residuals of a stomach wound, peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129660
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 18129660.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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