Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his time at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, due to exposure to tactical herbicides is being remanded as there are insufficient records to verify his claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically ischemic heart disease and its relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's arthritis, left shoulder disability, and other joint disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied because the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

Service connection for PTSD is restored as the severance was improper.,The skin condition claim is denied due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran witnessed an in-service stressor, and no clear and unmistakable error has been established.,Diabetes mellitus type II is not service connected because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. High cholesterol is also not service connected as it is not related to any in-service event or disease.,High cholesterol remains unconnected to service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, Type II diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for retinal vein branch occlusion as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, effective from December 22, 2017. The rating assigned is 90 percent combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records, specifically SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran must provide updated VA and private treatment records, and the SSA must be contacted for any relevant records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 29, 2016.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from March 16, 2009.,A separate TDIU rating for PTSD alone was also granted effective September 19, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II has worsened since his last VA examination in September 2014. The Board finds that new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for insomnia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee DJD.,Service connection for prostate cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied because there is no evidence of its onset during service, within the presumptive period, or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II and seizures have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of in-service injury or illness related to these conditions.,There was insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding herbicide exposure during his Okinawa service, which prevented a determination on this basis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual employability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetes is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is also granted as secondary to his diabetes. Bilateral hearing loss and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his activities are not regulated and he has not required hospitalization or frequent visits to his diabetic care provider.