Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed, and he has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, his claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have duties near the perimeter of a Thailand air base, and thus cannot establish exposure to herbicide agents. As such, service connection for DM, HTN, PN, and an eye disorder cannot be granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that there was no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected mood disorder with chronic pain is granted, and he is now rated at the maximum 70 percent disability level. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's heart disease and diabetes to her active duty service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to explore the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's TDY in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during or within one year following his military service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion to be highly probative and against the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service, and the claim for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding possible Agent Orange exposure in the Philippines.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, as well as his claim for a lumbar spine disability. The decisions are based on lack of evidence showing in-service exposure to herbicide agents or an established relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claim for prostate cancer is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete consideration of all evidence and inadequate addendum opinions. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are being reviewed again for possible aggravation by his periods of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand, and therefore service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but his diabetes mellitus is attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and CLL/SLL are not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents or MEK in service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, or anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral open angle glaucoma and cataracts is increased from 10% to 20% prior to November 24, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for further interpretation of visual field test results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in a unit stationed at or near the Korean DMZ and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are not related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.