The Veteran's claim of service connection for Type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, and retinopathy has been reopened. Service connection is granted for Type 2 diabetes on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected Type 2 diabetes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's assertions regarding his exposure to herbicides while stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base were found credible, leading to a finding of presumptive service connection for Type 2 diabetes. Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected Type 2 diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- Type 2 diabetes, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18132476
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 18132476.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and remanded the issue of esophageal cancer.
- Granted
The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, spinal disability, and hypertension with acute renal failure are all granted. The rating for spinal disability is restored to 20 percent effective January 6, 2020. An increased rating for hypertension with acute renal failure is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and dismissed the claim for a special home adaptation grant as moot.
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