Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus type II, pulmonary nodules of the lungs, or liver disability due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel Board hearing to be conducted in Marion, Illinois. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and back disorder are pending. Additionally, his claims regarding bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as residuals of a head injury have been reopened.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and the TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during active service in Thailand. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to his conceded exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's thrombocytosis and polycythemia vera are currently diagnosed but not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, claiming it is related to his military service and exposure to herbicides. However, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim due to lack of personnel records and potential discrepancies in reported exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new medical evidence indicating the Veteran's current hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, retinopathy, and neuropathy have resulted in a combined 100% disability rating. The Board has granted a 60% rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining a Statement of the Case for issues related to service connection and rating decisions. Additionally, additional records are needed from Social Security Administration (SSA) and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and a TDIU based on all service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, provide the Veteran with appropriate notice in response to his TDIU claim, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, which constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The issues of service connection for a neck disorder and higher disability ratings for PTSD and gastroparesis and GERD are being remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the reopening of a cardiovascular condition claim, as well as the ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from June 5, 2009, to April 25, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during this timeframe.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for hypertension, shortness of breath due to lung and liver problems, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran died of respiratory arrest due to repeated grand mal seizures resulting from a prior head injury. Contributory conditions included end stage liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, maintenance hemodialysis, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was not service-connected for any disability at the time of his death, and none of these conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred there in, nor is it due to the presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes was caused by his exposure to dioxins in service, and his left foot neuropathy is due to his service-connected type II diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a search of deck logs and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus and right big toe disorder are not related to his period of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding erectile dysfunction. The claims of service connection for diabetes, hearing loss, and left knee disability are also being remanded.