The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The claim for COPD is denied due to lack of a causal link between current symptoms and service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service in Thailand, leading to diabetes mellitus. Secondary service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as it is a complication of diabetes mellitus. COPD was denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20063608
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 20063608.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing and to continue with the appeal.
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