The Board granted earlier effective dates of October 6, 2006 for the service connection of type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand is presumed related to his diabetes.
The deciding factor: The CHECO Report, a declassified service department record, confirmed the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and established that his type II diabetes mellitus is presumptively associated with such exposure. The Board found this evidence sufficient to grant earlier effective dates for the service connection of diabetes and related peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Sciatic Nerve (right lower extremity), Peripheral Neuropathy of the Sciatic Nerve (left lower extremity), Peripheral Neuropathy of the Femoral Nerve (right lower extremity), Peripheral Neuropathy of the Femoral Nerve (left lower extremity)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2026
- Citation
- A26029165
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 A26029165.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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