Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His diabetic nephropathy has been evaluated separately as it does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand and to determine if his diabetes is related to service, including possible exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date for service connection were denied. The Board found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date, and the initial ratings assigned for diabetes mellitus with complications were not in accordance with the criteria.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this secondary condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The increased disability evaluations for Type II diabetes mellitus are still pending.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to December 18, 2011 for the grant of DIC based on service connection for cause of death is denied. The appellant's current claim was received by VA in December 18, 2012, and she did not file a formal claim before this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, heart disability, right knee and back disabilities, neck disability, psychiatric disability, and low energy, have been denied.,A compensable rating of 10 percent has been granted for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, a bilateral foot disability, and an eye disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and the conditions are not presumed to be due to such exposure.

The Veteran's claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and lumbar spine disability were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes and eye conditions were not related to his military service, including periods of active duty for training with the Georgia National Guard. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to further development being needed, including verifying service dates and affording the Veteran VA examination(s). The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left wrist pain, bilateral knee pain, stomach disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck injury, and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not received for right wrist pain, bilateral leg cramps, and skin disability of the fingers and feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service records do not indicate he was exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange during his active duty in Korea. The case is being remanded for further action, including a request to the JSRRC for verification of exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further development and clarification of his service at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand during the 1967 and 1968 time frame.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus required insulin and a restricted diet prior to April 28, 2009 but did not require regulation of his activities. Therefore, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to hearing loss, and found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus II is rated appropriately at 20 percent. The skin cancer was also found to be related to sun exposure during active duty service.