The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and right inguinal surgical scar.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active service or that his diabetes mellitus was related to such exposure. The Board also found no other basis for granting service connection for the cause of death or increased ratings for the disabilities in question.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus, Lumbosacral strain with arthritis, Postoperative right inguinal hernia, Cutaneous nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, Ilioinguinal nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, Right inguinal surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- 25006956
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support the need for insulin or episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.
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