Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he was exposed to commercial herbicides that contained dioxin and other contaminants, which could potentially trigger service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent. The effective date for this rating has been set as November 30, 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension based on direct causation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of needing aid and attendance is being remanded due to its inextricability with the referred issues regarding service connection for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The referred issues will be adjudicated first.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as further examination and medical opinion are needed to address the functional effects of his combined service-connected disabilities, particularly in light of possible increase in severity since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish in-service exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange or suggest that he initially developed diabetes mellitus during service or within a year of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orange Park Medical Center from July 26 - August 1, 2012 were approved as the services rendered were for a disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type 2, finding that no valid informal or formal claim was submitted prior to October 14, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable due to his coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus are all found to be related to service, with a presumption of exposure due to Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was multi-system organ failure, sepsis, myocardial infarction, end-stage renal disease, with significant contributing conditions of diabetes and congestive heart failure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have service-connected disabilities during his lifetime, nor were his death-causing conditions related to service or otherwise due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's DM type II has been rated at 20 percent, and the RO granted separate compensable ratings for diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities. The RO also granted a 10 percent rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity and denied an increased rating for diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II or compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are inextricably intertwined with the erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus began during service and is related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and tinea pedis on groin, arms, torso and hands are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides in service. If confirmed, a VA examiner will provide an opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of these conditions based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in a unit located near the Korean DMZ and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus type II with bilateral cataracts.