Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, neuropathy, tinnitus, and secondary service-connected IHD have been granted.

The Board has determined that an effective date of September 1, 2002 is warranted for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer were not service-connected. The cause of death was also not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to work and considering any period when the Veteran was unemployed due to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if applicable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea, which could affect his claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain VA treatment records, private medical records, ship logs from U.S.S. Mispillion, and any other relevant information.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, including deck logs from the U.S.S. Hancock and information related to herbicide incidents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and other potential causes of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support higher ratings for diabetes mellitus or its complications. Service connection was also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, Type II has been received.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA hospitalization records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and a VA audiological examination. The issue of TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and dyslipidemia have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's PTSD claim has not been substantiated.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any period of active duty for training. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current right eye disability, including visual impairment due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy status post pan-retinal photocoagulation, cataract, epiretinal membrane, was incurred or aggravated during service.,The Veteran has diabetes mellitus and a current right eye disability. However, there is no evidence of chronic residuals of an injury sustained during active duty for training.

The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities prior to October [redacted], 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to confirm his service in Vietnam and Thailand, determine any possible herbicide exposure, obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) documents, and provide the Veteran with a skin examination.