Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicides at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The Veteran's entire Official Military Personnel File and unit histories must be obtained, along with verification of his alleged Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and lymphocytosis are all granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis B and C.,Service connection is established for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to service-connected hepatitis B and C. The Veteran's other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, have been denied as they are not shown to be due to exposure to herbicides or any other in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, left knee disability, and duodenal ulcer was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of occupational and social impairment warranting an increased rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further action, including a new VA examination for the right knee disorder and preparation of an SOC for other claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, type II are all denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of his PTSD service connection has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including major depressive disorder). However, further examination is needed as the Veteran's low back disability may have worsened since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for the cause of death (bladder cancer) is also granted. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, and the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is dismissed as the cause of death was service connected.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pancreatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and secondary service connection for diabetes due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection based on herbicide exposure could not be substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a right eye disability are all granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetic nephropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing notice under the VCAA regarding hypertension as associated with diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection and all rating claims, including TDIU, for the claimed conditions. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service. His acquired mental disorder, left knee disorder, heart disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right middle finger disorder are also not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s diabetes requires only a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of legal briefs submitted in January 2017 and August 2017. The Veteran’s attorney requested that both briefs be combined into one decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities left him in need of regular aid and attendance from October 31, 2013 to September 9, 2016. The Board found that the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance were met during this period.