Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The SMC claim may also be affected due to the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service at Udorn and Nakhon Phanom RTAFBs likely placed him near the perimeter, presumptively exposing him to herbicide agents. His diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by his service due to this exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service, and thus granted as service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a heart disorder or diabetes mellitus due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other basis for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I, was incurred during his active military service and is granted as a result.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and a total disability rating were denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection of degenerative changes to both knees with fibromyalgia should be March 26, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and nephropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions that would support a grant of service connection. The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to Vietnam, and thus could not claim presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is service connected due to exposure in Vietnam and meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service as a crew chief on P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft exposed him to herbicide agents. The Board finds that he has been granted service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to type II diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the July 27, 2013 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD with anxiety, hypertension, heart attack, back condition, left leg pain, and diabetes did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral lower and upper peripheral neuropathy, with effective dates prior to March 7, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The compensable rating for lichen planus of the penis and a rating in excess of ten percent for onychomycosis of the nails and nail-beds are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and diabetes mellitus resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating regular use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The Board found that these conditions met the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic fatigue, polymyalgia, and recurrent prostatitis due to in-service herbicide exposure. The case is also being remanded to authenticate the Veteran's claimed Vietnam service.