Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and SSA disability records. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant Spanish-language records. The claim will be returned to the Board after this information has been reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether they are related to the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes and erectile dysfunction have been granted. Type II diabetes is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure, while erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to the Veteran's diagnosed diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 40 percent since October 1, 1997. The condition is managed with a restricted diet and multiple insulin shots per day, and the Veteran's activities have been regulated by his VA provider to avoid night shifts.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as his coronary artery disease and Type II diabetes mellitus are due to herbicide exposure during service, specifically in or near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's PTSD and DM have been rated based on their service-connected status, with the TDIU granted prior to April 6, 2015.,PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it is related to his period of active duty at the DMZ in Korea. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them prior to a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 31, 2012 for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim was received on that date and granted with this effective date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities from March 23, 1988 to April 27, 2009. The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to perceived deficiencies within a December 2014 VA examination, and both hepatitis C service connection and secondary diabetes mellitus claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving at the Takhli AFB from April 1966 to May 1967.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and to obtain medical opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was rated at 20 percent prior to October 24, 2007 and has been granted a separate rating for diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not initially manifest in service and is less likely caused or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and there is no evidence showing a direct link to his service. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II predated his diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, thus denying service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam and Thailand, which is sufficient to grant presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, leiomyosarcoma, and coronary artery disease.