Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not caused by or aggravated by service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for reopening the deep vein thrombosis claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to chemicals during service and a possible presumptive period of service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right arm disorder, hypertension, diabetes, chest disorder, breathing disorder, eye disorder, and intestinal disorder did not begin during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his VA benefit payments due to significant cognitive impairments, including dementia and PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an eye condition, and stroke due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be related to any in-service disease or injury, including exposure to herbicides. The acquired psychiatric disorder has also been found not to have met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a left knee disability, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records showing elevated blood glucose levels during service, which could indicate undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension as due to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service in Da Nang Harbor does not qualify as 'inland waterways' for purposes of presumptive exposure to herbicides, and thus his claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at the maximum available rating, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, does not warrant a higher initial rating. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he claims is due to exposure to herbicides while stationed at missile sites in rural North Dakota. The claim has been remanded for additional development regarding his obesity claim and for verification of any chemical exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The propriety of reducing the rating assigned for sensitive scar, donor site, left iliac bone is also being addressed.