The Veteran's diabetes was not service-connected, and his cause of death was not related to military service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other toxic exposures during service.
The deciding factor: There was no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of in-service exposure to tactical herbicides or other toxic substances, and the medical opinions were against a link between his diabetes and these exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- Type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes), atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- 26002330
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 26002330.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for Type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is denied, while an initial rating of 20 percent is granted for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 21, 2020 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for psoriasis, chronic kidney disease, veinous insufficiency, and diabetes due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and a blood disorder which causes blood clots due to exposure to herbicides while stationed on Okinawa.
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