Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic retinopathy due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The Veteran's bilateral vision loss disability is not considered a disease or injury under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his active service, including any herbicide exposure in Korea. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicides were denied as there is no credible evidence of such exposure. The Board also found that the disabilities did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's diabetes mellitus to his military service and denied both his claims for service connection. The eye condition was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia of the bilateral legs. The claims for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, acid reflux disorder, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and sleep apnea have also been denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Korea and his reported sleep apnea symptoms. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during active service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and a bilateral foot disability (residuals of frostbite), noting the absence of any in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's diabetes, sleep apnea, and amputation of the left index finger were all incurred during his active military service. Therefore, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no competent or credible evidence of exposure to herbicides during his service in Okinawa, Japan. The diseases are not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease complicated by diabetes mellitus type II. The appellant submitted a claim for accrued benefits, but the Board found that there were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death and thus no accrued benefits were due.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and that the disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the disease did not manifest within a year after separation. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30% but meet criteria for a 50% rating due to very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus from January 13, 2010 is granted and set at 20 percent. The claims for service connection for necrobiosis of the feet, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed as he has withdrawn his request for a hearing and indicated satisfaction with the current combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence, as well as inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The Veteran's high cholesterol was not found to be a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and ischemic heart disease, including CAD, due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB and thus is presumed to have been exposed. Service connection is granted for these conditions.