Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran was presumptively exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected bronchial asthma and/or sleep apnea. The Veteran's diabetes is less likely caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied as the claims are not supported by sufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause, which is a legal determination.

The Veteran's diabetes is service connected due to herbicide exposure, and his hypertension is secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis B under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 was denied, and his diabetes mellitus type II service connection claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II but did not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and Hodgkin's lymphoma due to herbicide exposure are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the Louisville, Kentucky Regional Office.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and trigger finger repair of the right thumb are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 1, 2003 for his retroactive restoration of retired pay due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 5, 2007 for service connection of diabetes mellitus and aid and attendance were granted. The effective dates are set at January 10, 2007.

The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure due to COPD and CHF, with his service-connected DM II and CAD contributing substantially to his condition. However, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he had not been continuously rated totally disabled for at least ten years prior to death.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, the diseases did not manifest within one year after separation from service, and there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or any other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, required insulin and a restricted diet prior to December 28, 2011. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disability (claimed as due to exposure to asbestos), and low back injury residuals were denied. The claim for higher initial rating for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and did not address the issue of service connection for vision problems, which were previously denied. The decision also dismissed the issues regarding entitlement to a compensable rating for kidney disease and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for vision problems.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed, and his diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to this exposure. Service connection is granted for PTSD with a 30% evaluation.