Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on the severity of symptoms, with increased ratings granted for each affected area.,Effective May 16, 2017, the Veteran was assigned initial 30 percent ratings for right upper extremity and initial 20 percent ratings for left upper extremity. For lower extremities, he received a 60 percent rating effective June 20, 2012.

The Board found no evidence of current diabetic foot ulcers and determined that a separate compensable rating for this condition is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, and his PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, finding new and material evidence. Both conditions are presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding records and additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected due to diabetes, but it may be aggravated by diabetes. The case is being sent back for a new VA opinion on whether the aggravation of hypertension by diabetes is at least as likely as not.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, particularly regarding his prostate condition.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of September 26, 2012 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. This decision satisfies his request for an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required a treatment regimen consisting of insulin therapy, oral hypoglycemic agents, and a restricted diet but did not require regulation of activities. Therefore, the disability rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of asthma, tuberculosis, a heart condition, pneumonia, diabetes, anemia, and bilateral blindness/macular degeneration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 5, 2009 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The decision was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to his military service due to herbicide exposure, specifically at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychological disorder, diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his hydropyelonephrosis to service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and cerebrovascular disease are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for hydropyelonephrosis, status post-left nephrectomy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining ship logs and other information detailing the movements of the USS Mispillion during specific periods. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is pending.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and no medical opinion linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.