Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam, and he was granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal is based on the Veteran's claim that he repaired radio and communication equipment contaminated with Agent Orange at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disorder, diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy, and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted an effective date of September 17, 2010 for the award of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides that could link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 for DIC benefits, as he did not receive a total rating for at least ten years immediately prior to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his time stationed there. As a result, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and renal failure have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU for the entire period of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome and type 2 diabetes due to herbicide exposure was denied as there is no causal relationship established between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and skin condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson's disease.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and amputation of the left great toe. The decision notes that more recent VA treatment records are needed to determine if the Veteran now meets the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle condition, neck condition, pelvic tumors, and diabetes mellitus due to missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed due to in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the Veteran’s diabetic nephropathy with hypertension was rated at 80 percent and no higher rating could be assigned due to lack of evidence of dialysis or markedly decreased function of kidney systems.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has not required regulation of activities, and therefore a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities due to new evidence received after the September 2012 rating decision. The Veteran's exposure is alleged to be from in-country Vietnam.