Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus is not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not establish a link between his claimed temporary duty at Eglin AFB and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his periods of active duty and VA examination regarding his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve on a ship that was subject to the presumption of herbicide exposure, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on this presumption.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities and knees. The decision found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluded that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure, and he has a current disability. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his deployment to Thailand from July 1970 to July 1971.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chemical burn residuals, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability, neck disability, arthritis of the legs, right hand arthritis, elbow disability, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, stomach problems, and sinus problems were denied due to lack of in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, HTN, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a liver condition, all presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not show any in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the Veteran's claims in light of his claimed sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and liver disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, disease, or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disorder to include nephritis and hypertension, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his kidney disorder and hypertension are etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted effective November 5, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for his conditions. The evidence was not in equipoise on whether any current diagnoses were related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including VA treatment records. Additional development is required, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. His diabetes mellitus type II is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, his tinnitus remains at a noncompensable rating, and he does not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations of bilateral SNHL or any other conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected pancreatic cancer with metastatic disease to the liver and gallbladder, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as the Appellant withdrew it.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, cold injury, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The effective date for this decision is February 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2011, for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.