The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Veteran's military records and his own testimony support the conclusion that he was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Takhli Air Force Base.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the Veteran served on or near the perimeter of the Tahkli Air Force Base, which places him within the significant use area for herbicide exposure. The Board found his testimony credible and supported by other evidence, leading to a presumption of exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20043380
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 20043380.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
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The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left arm tremors. Service connection for right hand tremors is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.
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