Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicide agents during his military service, including at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cannot be established as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective January 11, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations in several cases, including right knee disability, eczema, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD prior to April 25, 2017. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection. For the initial rating period from February 13, 2008 forward, a higher disability rating of 30 percent for left shoulder disability and a higher disability rating of 50 percent for depression have also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, which is presumed for those who served in Vietnam. Therefore, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and genital herpes was denied. However, the VA granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with an initial 20 percent rating effective December 13, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis, acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for service connection for hepatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially and significantly to his death, which was caused by liver cancer. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and cataracts, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 14, 2011. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to Agent Orange exposure are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral leg condition, respiratory condition, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities or kidney disorder. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is caused by her service-connected psoriasis, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and a neurological disability of the left lower extremity as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent prior to March 30, 2011 and reduced to 40 percent from March 30, 2011 to September 23, 2014. The reduction was proper.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the relationship between his diabetes and TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (depression). The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at the highest possible level of 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.