Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because there was no service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the Veteran's service records and Social Security Administration records, as well as obtaining private treatment records from UPMC Altoona. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted, and he is also awarded a TDIU rating of 70%.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, attending to personal hygiene needs, taking medications, and protection from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and therefore cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidentiary development, particularly regarding treatment records from the Dallas VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation are pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including residuals of a head injury, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy claims was granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease, have met the criteria for a TDIU since April 1, 2012. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for a muscle cramp disability over the flank region. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and secondary kidney disability, due to claimed herbicide exposure on active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is insufficient evidence to link it to his military service, including herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's gout was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pancreatitis was incurred in service but due to her long-term alcohol abuse, which constitutes willful misconduct. Diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted. His diabetes mellitus, type II, currently rated at 20 percent, remains unchanged as the evidence does not support a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for his cataracts and ischemic optic neuropathy prior to October 14, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis and diabetes mellitus, type II were not related to his service in Southwest Asia. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her right ankle disability, residuals of a left ankle injury, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are granted due to his Vietnam Era service, which qualifies him for presumptive exposure under the Agent Orange Act.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his service at the RTAFB in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and coronary artery disease are being remanded.