The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection, presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure, or continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no link to herbicide exposure. The claim for presumptive service connection was also denied as there were no chronic disease shown in service and the disorder did not manifest within one year from separation. Continuity of symptomatology since service was also not supported.
- Claimed conditions
- type II diabetes mellitus (DM)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20019781
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20019781.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's heart conditions, including CAD, MI, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, supraventricular arrhythmia, and CABG are granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure. DM is also granted. Peripheral neuropathy of the LLE, RLE, LUE, and RUE is granted secondary to DM.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and migraine headaches are all granted as service-connected. The hypertension is considered direct service connection due to the preexisting condition not being aggravated by service. Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is found to have started during service based on post-service medical records showing progression from impaired fasting glucose to a confirmed diagnosis of DM II. Migraine headaches are also granted as they were first diagnosed during active military service and linked to in-service noise exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability, GERD, DM, CAD, and ED have been granted with effective dates ranging from July 29, 2022 to September 8, 2021. The claim for service connection for OSA was denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and other conditions.
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