Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts have been rated at 40% since December 10, 2008. The rating decision also granted an increased rating for his diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims of service connection for residuals of a stroke, to include secondary to diabetes mellitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus. The Board dismisses the appeal.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he attributes to herbicide exposure during his military service. The Board finds that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran currently has diabetes and its type, as well as whether he was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. If applicable, additional research should be conducted at the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) or other appropriate entity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition (also claimed as allergies) has been reopened and is now considered. The Board finds that the additional evidence received since the November 2006 rating decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim, specifically whether the current respiratory condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's brief presence in Vietnam during service is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Therefore, he is granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as diabetic peripheral neuropathy on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lung cancer, Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and chronic kidney disease with renal failure are all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide, nor did any medical provider link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the abdomen and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to a need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure. The appeal for these two conditions has been withdrawn.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, is dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 30% from that date. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 30% from that date. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 40% from that date. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 40% from that date. The Veteran's partial cranial nerve III palsy is rated at 10%. The mature cataract post operative of the left eye is rated at 20% prior to December 7, 2011 and at 20% from that date. Erectile dysfunction is not compensable. For the period prior to January 29, 2010, TDIU was granted.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30%. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20%. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40%. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40%. The partial cranial nerve III palsy is rated at 10%. The mature cataract post operative of the left eye is rated at 20% from December 7, 2011. Erectile dysfunction is not compensable. For the period prior to January 29, 2010, TDIU was granted.

The Board denied all claims including service connection for PTSD, atrial arrhythmia with pacemaker (construed as ischemic heart disease) (heart disorder), and diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss were also not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, dry eye syndrome, and intertrigo have been granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged herbicide exposure in Canada and the exact date of diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure is being remanded as the VA did not verify his exposure in Thailand and did not contact the JSRRC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and subarachnoid cyst (claimed as a brain tumor) due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not show any in-service or post-service diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding his PTSD and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple strokes, which he contends are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the strokes were caused or aggravated by the diabetes.