Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to ischemic cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus, which are diseases presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is also conceded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not granted, but some issues were reopened. The low back condition and nerve damage to the left arm remain denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence, while diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied as there is no record of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and need for further examination. The issues include pulmonary disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, finding the Veteran's duties brought him to the Korean DMZ where he was exposed to herbicide agents. The conditions are presumed due to exposure.

The Board is remanding the case to further evaluate whether the Veteran's acute renal failure and diabetes mellitus are related to his service, including as due to exposure to benzene in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, right shoulder disorder, right Achilles disorder, and cephalgia due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The VA has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes mellitus is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not show a current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of medical evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of recent examination and potential exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hearing loss is suspected to have worsened since his last VA examination, and his diabetes may be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted as it is presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. However, the hypertension claim is remanded as a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to service or secondary to diabetes.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. The Veteran's diagnosis of diabetes was confirmed by medical records, and his testimony supported the finding that he served in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are presumed due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the entire period of appeal has been granted. The RO also denied service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but did not issue a statement of the case on these issues.

The Board dismissed all claims related to service connection and disability ratings, including those for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), depression, residual scar, right forehead, painful scar, right forehead, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as well as the claim for TDIU. The VA will seek additional records and verify any secret missions or training that may have exposed the Veteran to Agent Orange or other harmful substances.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated conditions are being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records from the Family Health Center of Fairfax.