The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions associated with a stroke, including obstructive sleep apnea, depression, and diabetes mellitus type II.

The deciding factor: The evidence shows that as of August 10, 2022, the Veteran met the eligibility criteria for service connection for stroke residuals and complications of diabetes based on his herbicide exposure during service.

Claimed conditions

obstructive sleep apnea associated with stroke residuals, unspecified depressive disorder associated with stroke residuals, chronic constipation associated with stroke residuals, voiding dysfunction associated with stroke residuals, right side speech impairment associated with stroke residuals, left side speech impairment associated with stroke residuals, right side swallowing difficulties associated with stroke residuals, left side swallowing difficulties associated with stroke residuals, left upper extremity weakness associated with stroke residuals, left lower extremity weakness associated with stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 19, 2025

Citation

A25109727

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine