The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to the Veteran's active military service, including any claimed exposure to herbicides or toxic substances.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record does not show that the Veteran served in Vietnam during the Vietnam era and there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was found to be less likely than not related to his military service, with risk factors such as lifestyle, obesity, and pre-diabetes being more significant.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus Type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25028204
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 denied an initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinitis, cervical spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and thoracolumbar scoliosis and lumbar spine degenerative changes.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and polycythemia vera were dismissed due to procedural issues. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, interstitial lung disease, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The claims for service connection were remanded.
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