Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, colon resection, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, hernia disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and sinusitis has been granted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and is requesting additional development to verify this exposure. The claims for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, lymphoma residuals, and neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further investigation into the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's gallbladder cancer was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, but he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The PTSD claim is remanded for further examination and evaluation. TDIU is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and combined rating are remanded due to the need for a VA examination, additional private treatment records from Dr. Khan, and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to November 2, 2012, and from January 1, 2013 to August 5, 2019, as he did not meet the schedular requirements for SMC housebound benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of depression was denied as there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his active duty. His claim for an increased SMC rate was also denied due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart disorder and diabetes mellitus and his service, specifically exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while aboard a ship in Vietnam's territorial waters. The VA will need to determine if the USS King was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the time the Veteran served on it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam presumptively caused his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's dates of service in Korea and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney cancer, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's submarines were within twelve nautical miles of mainland Vietnam during their service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of a current diagnosis and failure to establish a link between in-service herbicide exposure and the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, finding that neither condition warranted such ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure while serving at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, are also presumed to be related to his active duty service.