Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, claiming it is due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The Board finds that the claim should be remanded to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD, which is considered a direct service-connected condition. The evidence shows that PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the fatal cardiopulmonary disease resulting in his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, granted 20 percent ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities prior to December 15, 2009, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity from December 15, 2009, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity from December 15, 2009.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the claim for VA Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35. The immediate cause of the Veteran's death was acute respiratory failure secondary to bilateral pulmonary emboli, right lung infarction, left health care associated pneumonia, sepsis with sepsis shock and staphylococcal bacteremia, status post left cerebral infarction with post t-PA thrombolysis, atrial fibrillation and dyslipidemia. Other significant conditions contributing to death included type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension, emphysema and aspiration pneumonia.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes was not present during service and is not related to her military service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that she had diabetes in-service or within one year of service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20 percent prior to June 18, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient medical documentation of avoidance of strenuous activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glioblastoma and diabetes mellitus (Type II) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant did not provide income information necessary for death pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and pituitary tumor are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty. The conditions were not shown to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not work on the perimeter of Takhli RTAFB where herbicides were used.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The case will be referred to the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for verification.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including searching morning reports from March 1964 and April 1964 to determine if the Veteran set foot in Vietnam. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Panama, and there is no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence to support these conditions or their association with active military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and skin-related disability of the feet were not incurred in service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.