Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both secondary to toxic herbicide exposure. The Veteran served aboard USS CHICAGO during a period when his service records indicate he was in the Gulf of Tonkin, but it is unclear if this area falls within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea where the presumption of herbicide agent exposure applies.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma and PTSD, including major depressive disorder. The remand requires a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any identified disabilities, as well as verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to outstanding treatment records and SSA records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a renal disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension. The Veteran's renal disorder was not aggravated by service, DM was not incurred in service, and hypertension was not incurred in service.

The Board denied DIC benefits for the cause of death due to congestive heart failure, renal failure, and diabetes. The Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or any other location where he could be presumed exposed to herbicide agents. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were chronic in service or continuous since separation. There was also insufficient evidence linking these conditions directly to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis and PTSD is granted, while BPH and diabetes are denied. The case is REMANDED for additional development regarding a respiratory disability claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was reopened, granted, and an effective date of July 2014 is assigned.,Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 5, 2015 for his service-connected PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but needs further examination and opinion to determine if there is an aggravation of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to exposure to herbicide agents. However, the Veteran's hypertension remains unresolved and requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Veteran's military records and his own testimony support the conclusion that he was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Takhli Air Force Base.

The Veteran has agreed to the current disability ratings for his PTSD and diabetes mellitus, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of death (hypertensive cardiovascular disease contributed to by diabetes) is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary effects on the Veteran's lower extremities due to incomplete information in the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, including private treatment records and service records, and request an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) as there is no evidence of such exposure during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied in November 1971. He filed to reopen his claim on August 21, 2000 and the RO granted service connection effective August 21, 2000 based on exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Board found no legal basis for an earlier effective date.