Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, which is presumed to be related to his current diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from acute respiratory distress syndrome due to renal failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, no chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition including a tortuous pulmonary artery as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service. The current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts prior to September 15, 2015 resulted in a combined rating of 40 percent based on visual impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of Asiatic flu, type II diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of the hands. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders is also reopened.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened and granted. His diabetes mellitus is presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand, which is presumed to be linked to his development of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. As these conditions are presumptively related to herbicide exposure, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD and diabetes prior to January 17, 2008.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion regarding the manifestations of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for depression is also denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to allow for a Social and Industrial Survey, as well as consideration of the assignment of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and addressing the basis and rationale for the amendment to the Veteran's death certificate. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn. The claims to reopen service connection for gouty arthritis, hypertension, depression and anxiety, neck disorder, back disorder, right elbow disorder, and breathing disorder (including asthma and shortness of breath) have been granted.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatal melanoma, including whether it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure or if his service-connected diabetes mellitus and complications contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, with diabetes being another significant medical condition not directly contributing to his death. The Board finds that the evidence supports the premise that the Veteran temporarily traveled to Vietnam and is therefore presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during service.