Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran served in Vietnam and is therefore presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Given this presumption, diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher rating for diabetes, service connection for skin cancer and testicular cancer are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining recent VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder due to new evidence received since the May 2009 rating decision. However, the claims are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to dioxin-based herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam, particularly at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and he has been diagnosed as suffering from this condition. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his diabetes and retinopathy claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) is granted as his presence in Vietnam during his service makes him presumptively exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain, lumbar spine strain, PTSD, and bilateral vision loss. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence secondary to residuals of left bronchogenic cyst.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2005 for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his diabetes has been granted with a 40% evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection for hypertension, left Achilles tendon disorder, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and low back disorder. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and determine if his diabetes mellitus and cataracts are related to service, including ionizing radiation exposure. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain on appeal.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia and type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service onset or association with active duty, and the diabetes claim fails due to lack of presumptive exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, back disability, upper and lower extremity disorders, loss of balance, memory loss, stroke residuals, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cancer of the face (basal cell carcinoma), and duodenal or pancreatic tumor. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke and its residuals are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.