The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, glaucoma secondary to service-connected diabetes, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were based on presumptive exposure to herbicides, but the Joint Services Records Research Center found no evidence of such exposure.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to establish actual exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension were not shown within one year after separation from service, nor did they manifest due to an in-service injury or disease. The Board found that the most persuasive evidence of record weighed against these claims.,Glaucoma was first diagnosed 25 years post-service, and there is no evidence of diabetic retinopathy or other diabetic ocular pathologies prior to this diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- type II diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22059857
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 22059857.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma but denied it for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.