Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have verified service or visitation within the territorial confines of the Republic of Vietnam, and there is no evidence to support his claim of exposure to chemical herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus cannot be granted based on presumptive exposure. The claim for PTSD will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Base and thus, his ischemic heart disease is granted service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development of the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke residuals), enlarged prostate (voiding dysfunction), colon cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, was manifested by symptomatology approximating the criteria for a 40 percent rating during the entire period on appeal. The claim is granted with an evaluation of 40 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he contends was caused by his exposure to herbicides during his military service. The VA has not been able to confirm the exact nature of his exposure and needs to conduct further research.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. Service connection is now established for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board is remanding the claims for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), and cirrhosis of the liver to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be considered in light of his reported stressors during service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities, including diabetes, gout, fibromyalgia, brain tumor/hemangioma, right and left lower extremity disabilities, did not become manifest during service or are otherwise related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected disability of type 2 diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, gastroparesis, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and Type II diabetes mellitus secondary to his service-connected kidney disease. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. The claims include requests for increased ratings and restoration of a higher rating for prostate cancer, as well as TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and identifying specific locations of operations of his ships while in Vietnam. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded due to the need for further evidence regarding his alleged Vietnam-era exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, contributed substantially to his death due to acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded as the evidence does not clearly indicate a current diagnosis of this condition. The Board finds that an examination is required to determine whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VAU medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including his exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest itself within one year of service and it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.