Diabetes decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's disease secondary to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's active duty at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus were all granted service connection. However, the Veteran was denied increased ratings for his PTSD, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The aortic aneurysm, hearing loss, tinnitus, and cataracts issues are still pending.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for bilateral diabetic cataracts, finding that the Veteran's visual acuity has consistently been 20/40 or better and there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes related to such cataracts.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to the absence of evidence linking his conditions to military service, and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, sleep problems, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral elbow disability are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 20% prior to September 14, 2006. After a review of the evidence, including a doctor's questionnaire indicating he met criteria for a 40% rating, the Board granted a 40% rating effective from September 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma with melanoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to burn pit herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and type II diabetes mellitus were not shown to be related to service, and the Board has denied these claims.,The Veteran's nasal disorder (residuals of sinus surgery) and hypertension have been remanded for further development as they may be related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to liver failure and renal failure, which the Board has remanded for further clarification on their etiology. The service connection claim for diabetes mellitus II remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there was no in-service event or injury and the condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's claim for effective dates prior to August 27, 2013 for grants of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no legal basis for such a retroactive assignment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA treatment records and because of potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II may be presumed based on his aircraft maintenance duties, but a definitive determination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied due to the presumption of soundness being rebutted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of November 27, 2009. Prior to that date, he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the right knee amputation could be proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes, and whether peripheral vascular disease was caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer residuals with prostatectomy residuals, ventral hernia repair residuals, diabetes mellitus, and multiple radiculopathies, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was presumptively exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and nerve disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection has been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The Veteran’s current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 is characterized by restricted diet and use of oral hypoglycemic agents, but no additional complications are present to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with chronic fungus infection of the feet during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if this condition was incurred in service or due to another service-connected disability.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is currently present, but further evaluation by a medical professional is required to determine its etiology.