The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.
The deciding factor: The Veteran submitted evidence that raised the possibility of service connection for depression/PTSD, which was not previously considered.,The Board found sufficient evidence of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand and concluded that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is due to this exposure. The diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also linked to his diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, diabetes mellitus, type 2, diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, diabetic neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19148718
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 remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
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