Diabetes decisions — 2018

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increased ratings for headaches and hearing loss, and service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary herbicide exposure, as he provided sufficient detail in his statements. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Charleston Air Force Base.

The claim for increased (enhanced) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) is dismissed because the July 2010 Board decision denying this claim is final, no new evidence was submitted, and there were no motions filed.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is granted, but the condition is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as it occurred during INACDUTRA and thus not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are found to be new and material evidence, indicating they may have onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opportunity for the Veteran to provide private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, and retinopathy has been reopened. Service connection is granted for Type 2 diabetes on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected Type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as there are missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded because it is intertwined with other issues on appeal, including his cervical spine disability. Additional medical records and examination may be needed to clarify the etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to missing service treatment records that may provide evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate disability and numbness of the fingers as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. However, his claim of service connection for depression due to a service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted service connection, and he is also awarded special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to use of skin medications and a manual wheelchair, finding that there was no evidence that these items damaged his outer garments.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and is requesting additional evidence to determine if it can also be linked to herbicide exposure.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to incomplete verification of Vietnam-era Marine Corps unit records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and hypertension, which were service-connected, contributed to his death from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). As such, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered due to service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the claims for diabetes mellitus and temporary total evaluation due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days. The claim for service connection for depression was reopened, but not granted. The claim for PTSD was also reopened, but not granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability including depression, anxiety, and insomnia is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records, which could affect whether the Veteran served in Vietnam and thus determine if he is entitled to VA benefits for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes is deferred until his psychiatric disability claim is adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA opinion is needed regarding the impact of his service-connected diabetes and peripheral neuropathy on his employment.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for cause of death, including whether any or all causes of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate are related to his military service and/or his service-connected disabilities.