Diabetes decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and rating determinations due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction. The decision concluded that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military noise exposure, and his diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities to avoid hypoglycemic episodes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urethritis was denied. The rating for IVDS from August 15, 2007 to November 26, 2014 was granted at a 40 percent level. Other issues such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), erectile dysfunction, and SMC benefits were remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, thyroid disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, headaches, vertigo, and tinnitus due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis as they are not presumed diseases related to military service.

The Veteran's daughter, A.C., was not found to be a 'helpless child' prior to her 18th birthday due to her ability to work and pursue education after turning 18.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes and prostate cancer) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae has been remanded.,Diabetes Mellitus continues to be rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating possible under the current criteria.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and no in-service or post-service relationship to the condition.

The Board denied service connection for schwannoma, claimed as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I was rated at 40 percent and the effective date for this rating is not granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus type I was denied, as well as his request for a prior effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential worsening since his last examination. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions, with an emphasis on distinguishing symptoms attributable solely to the service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has vacated the part of the December 2018 decision denying a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus and remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and any related complications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents and determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to such exposure. The issues will be reviewed again after this verification.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure during active duty.,Diabetes mellitus type II is service-connected as a result of herbicide exposure, while prostate cancer and heart condition are also connected through this presumption.

The Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as related to exposure to herbicide agents and/or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's porphyria cutanea tarda is remanded as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, liver condition, vision condition, and acquired psychiatric condition as the evidence did not support a causal link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II. The hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of onset in service or within one year post-service. For diabetes, a 20 percent rating is granted prior to March 29, 2012, but the Board has remanded for further development regarding whether regulation of activities was required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for HTN, DMII, OSA, and residuals of a torn right heel cord have been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is denied, and the case is remanded for further development including a TDIU claim and an effective date determination.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and incontinence due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand and Vietnam. The conditions are presumed as they fall under the VA policy recognizing herbicide exposure at military bases like Don Muang RTAFB.