The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma has not been granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy) secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand likely placed him at risk for certain diseases, including type II diabetes mellitus and CAD. The Board found that he was exposed to herbicides and granted service connection for these conditions. Service connection for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's bilateral nerve condition is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), status post myocardial infarction, Type II diabetes mellitus, Basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma, Bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy), Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20021935
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 20021935.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's September 4, 2024 HLR request was improperly rejected by the AOJ. The Board finds that the request is timely and valid, and reinstates the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
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