Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected, and his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The appellant withdrew her appeal seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and the Board dismissed this matter.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiometric examination. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and service connection for type II diabetes mellitus are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gallstones and a bowel disability, both secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unscannable medical records and other relevant documents. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus are being considered on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service. The evidence shows that he served on a 'Blue Water' ship and was exposed to herbicides, qualifying him under presumptive provisions. His current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II is also considered compensable.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus II was denied. The RO granted service connection on a presumptive basis, but did not assign an effective date prior to June 3, 2009.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to an herbicidal agent during his service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus is presumed to have been exposed. As a result, diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded as the RO/AMC has not provided an SOC.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, which is presumed to include Agent Orange exposure. The conditions contributing to his death (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and diabetes mellitus) are presumptively linked to such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and for separate ratings for left ventricular hypertrophy. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and bilateral eye disorders.