Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus no presumption of service connection. The issue of new and material evidence to reopen claims for chronic fatigue, polymyalgia, and recurrent prostatitis was also denied.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes, skin disorder, urinary tract disorder, TBI residuals, headaches, and lumbar spine strain. The decision found that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim for hearing loss, while other claims were denied based on lack of a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and eye problems, as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The other issues on appeal have been addressed but no rating assigned.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including hypertension, is service-connected as due to herbicide exposure.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is also service-connected as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing this issue as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and examinations. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, a right shoulder disability, and hypertension (on de novo review) are also being remanded.

The Veteran's out-of-pocket medical expenses at Nebraska Medical Center were not authorized by VA, but the Board finds that they were for a medical emergency of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. However, treatment at the Omaha VAMC was feasible and reasonable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is being remanded due to the need to address his diabetes mellitus, which may be related to both active duty and service connection. The AOJ should obtain all relevant treatment records and adjudicate the claims accordingly.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for diabetic retinopathy and granted an effective date of February 22, 2007 for TDIU.

The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while serving at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) and Ubon, RTAFB, Thailand. Type II diabetes mellitus was diagnosed following active service. The Board grants service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes and related conditions, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board found that these disabilities alone were sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to service or chemical exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is no direct or secondary evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left knee injury with degenerative joint disease and a torn ligament, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to July 18, 2012. The Board grants TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete opinions and need for updated medical assessments regarding secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the remaining issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of those claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a hearing postponement and the need for service personnel records.