Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation above the right knee and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure in Thailand and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on presumptive exposure. The Board also found no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is of service origin, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for COPD. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's DM is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, did not have its onset in service and was not diagnosed within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation during service. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of diabetes mellitus and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, is rated at 40 percent since September 12, 2013. The same rating applies to the left lower extremity from May 5, 2011 to September 4, 2013, and then again from September 5, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that his service did not include service in the Republic of Vietnam and thus he was not entitled to the presumption of herbicide exposure. The decision also noted that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran may also have received private medical care at Redmond Regional Medical Center which needs to be obtained.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the relationship of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and the in-service elevated glucose levels, thus granting service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's diabetes symptoms, particularly chronic diarrhea. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, neuropathy of the feet, hypertension, and a left eye disability. The Veteran asserts these conditions are related to exposure to herbicides or asbestos during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including requesting the Veteran's Official Military Personnel File and attempting to verify his account of Agent Orange exposure in Massawa, Africa. The issue remains about service connection for diabetes mellitus type II based on new evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 20 percent prior to March 10, 2015 and denied for a higher rating. For the period beginning March 10, 2015, his disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records since May 2012 and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's voiding dysfunction was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that his exposure to herbicides in service during his time in Korea is presumed and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides.