Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and Hepatitis C due to new evidence. However, it denied these claims as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all three issues on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. His initial evaluation for residuals of a fracture with compression deformity of the thoracic spine from January 27, 1987, through August 21, 2005, is granted at 10 percent. The claim for entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran served aboard a ship in waters off the coast of Vietnam, but there is no evidence that he was within the inland waterways considered for presumptive exposure.

The Board found that the appellant did not have service connection for a heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, or diabetic neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to his INACDUTRA service. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show a diagnosis within one year of separation from service for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any pre-existing conditions aggravated by his active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has not resulted in episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus noncompensable complications. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 6, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II resulted in the need for insulin and a restricted diet. Effective January 2, 2014, his condition required regulation of activities as prescribed by a medical professional to meet the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral macular edema, and other service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, was not present in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to his active duty. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that there was no evidence linking any VA treatment to the Veteran's death.