Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to her military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors related to PTSD, and the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection could not be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and/or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board finds that she currently has tinnitus that arose in service. The remaining issues of diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected as a result of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran was granted an initial compensable rating for folliculitis from January 18, 2011 to January 18, 2012. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities has been established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's duty stations and exposure to herbicides, including at Fort Chaffee. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has decided that the case should be remanded for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion from the June 2016 VA examiner or another qualified medical professional.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II caused or aggravated his bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered and a proper examination conducted.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremity is being remanded due to a lack of information required by the JSRRC to verify herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining the deck logs of the USS Walke during the identified periods.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied both the reopening of the claim and the claim itself due to lack of a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's DM is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective as of his retirement in 2008 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, warranting no extraschedular rating.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disease, both of which are found to be due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The cause of the Veteran's death is also found to be related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or asthma, as well as the medications prescribed for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals of anterior discectomy with fusion of the cervical spine was dismissed without prejudice. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also dismissed without prejudice. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied and final claim of service connection for hypertension.