Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The claim for arthritis has also been denied due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding his service-connected disabilities prior to January 19, 2012.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by exposure to dioxin-based chemical herbicides during his service at the U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The Board grants this claim.

The Veteran's vertigo, diabetes, hemorrhoids, PTSD, right leg lesion, costochondritis, GERD, enlarged thyroid, and incontinence have been related to service or service-connected disability. The endometrial polyps are considered incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, but not higher. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction was previously denied and is now final due to lack of timely appeal. New evidence received since the denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy, as well as any other residuals. Separate compensable ratings may also be considered.

The Board finds that service connection for diabetes mellitus is warranted on a presumptive basis as the Veteran had two consecutive A1C levels of 6.5% or higher within one year of his discharge from military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's arthritis and bone joint damage were granted service connection, but the claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there was no clinical diagnosis of diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's current diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be causally and etiologically related to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a comprehensive examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an SSOC.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, thus denying the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathies secondary to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus Type II render him unemployable due to exertive limitations, and the Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding radiation exposure and a VA examination for his skin disorders.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including verifying herbicide exposure and applying the appropriate procedures for claims involving service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and a VA industrial/occupational examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, prevent him from engaging in any type of substantially gainful employment consistent with his skills, education, and training.