Service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is granted. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs are denied. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes was presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service in Thailand. However, there is no evidence of diabetic retinopathy or peripheral neuropathy during the period on appeal. Hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also not currently diagnosed or linked to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), Diabetic retinopathy, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19149906
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,776 · Granted: 24% (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 19149906.
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 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and related conditions due to a need for additional development of the record.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, kidney condition, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions due to insufficient evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.
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