Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure during his time stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield as a security policeman.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance since a year prior to the date of claim, leading to SMC at the K-1 level from July 29, 2004. After August 31, 2010, he was granted SMC at the L level based on his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his cause of death to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that no specific exception to the general rule of not awarding an effective date earlier than the date of claim applies in this case. The appeal is dismissed as to the issue of earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a separate evaluation for renal manifestations of service-connected diabetes mellitus should be September 29, 2005, but no earlier.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the onset of his condition during active duty.

The Veteran claims that his diabetes mellitus type II is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board has decided this case should be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of exposure to herbicides is being remanded due to the need to confirm his presence in the inland waterways of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and an examination to determine if any current lumbar spine disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency. The RO has not obtained all of the Veteran's private medical records from Dr. Clemis Jackson or his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. These records are necessary to make a full determination on the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The RO found no evidence of such exposure in Vietnam and thus denied the claim based on lack of presumptive service connection. The Board has ordered further development including obtaining unit records from Udorn Air Force Base.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The joint pain disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for candidiasis is denied as there is no evidence that the condition covers at least 5 percent or more of the entire body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating. The RO granted service connection for erectile dysfunction effective December 7, 2001, but did not assign an effective date earlier than that. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities warrants ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to December 17, 2008, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a low back disorder. The RO must attempt to obtain all pertinent VA treatment records prior to August 18, 2006, as well as any private medical records from his initial diagnosis in 1998. A VA examination is also required to determine the etiology of both conditions.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not found to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current conditions had onset in or within one year of service, or are otherwise linked to his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's increased rating for diabetes mellitus, but denied his claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as part and parcel of the increased rating claim. The new evidence received was found to be material with regard to the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his low back condition and left ankle sprain and chip fracture were not shown to be related to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.