The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection is granted for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and chronic kidney condition as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicides during service, leading to a finding that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed. The Board found that hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and chronic kidney condition are secondary to his now-service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity (previously claimed as chronic leg pain), peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity (previously claimed as chronic leg pain), chronic kidney condition
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- A19001010
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 880 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19001010.
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.
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.