Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Veteran is granted presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination for his PTSD claim. The remaining claims will be dismissed as withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, gall bladder disease with left-sided stomach pain, skin rash with itching, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and her military service, including exposure to mustard gas.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to mustard gas during active duty. However, the Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The Veteran was rated at 100% due to his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension prior to May 14, 2014 are denied. As of May 14, 2014, his claim for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic cardiomyopathy as the result of exposure to herbicides in Korea. The RO must verify his claimed exposure, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to radiation, Lewisite, mustard gas, Agent Orange, and/or other chemicals. The issue of increased rating for hemorrhoids was also addressed but no specific decision is provided.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic readings predominantly 110 or more or systolic readings predominantly 200 or more prior to June 8, 2013. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development for the appellant's claims, including obtaining missing medical records and providing another VA examination to assess her right knee disability. The case is now being remanded to ensure all required development is completed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a multiple joint disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unemployable for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are presumed incurred in service as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II and TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for TDIU.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and proteinuria was granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent effective August 5, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound is REMANDED. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during active service and the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicide agent within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307 in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, and thus grants service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, vision disorder, back disability, sarcoidosis manifestations, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, sleep apnea, black outs, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.