Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and respiratory issues, due to potential herbicide exposure while aboard the U.S.S. Wichita during his Vietnam War service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and a left lower leg disability due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The decision is pending further investigation.

The Board has determined that the previous denial of service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus was not final due to new evidence. The Veteran's deck logs have been reviewed, but it is unclear if he served in areas near Vietnam during his time on board the U.S.S. Zelima. Therefore, additional records are needed to make a determination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral pes planus is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The decision on compensable ratings for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of herbicide exposure are granted. The remaining issues (peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition. The claim for service connection for bilateral leg rash is remanded to obtain an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and CVA due to new evidence received since the March 2003 rating decision. The claim for hypertension is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disorder, claimed as heart arrhythmia, were not related to his military service. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. Further research is needed to determine if the Veteran was present within this area during his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service and whether his USS Camp was within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Vietnam at any time while he served aboard. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no evidence of compensable or higher disability due to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hernia repair and remanded it. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder, bladder cancer, cardiovascular disorder (mitral valve insufficiency), lung disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no evidence to establish in-service incurrence or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and hypertension as secondary to herbicide exposure during active duty in Korea. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease, but has remanded these issues due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving on Navy ships in Vietnam. The claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to a lack of adequate rationale in the September 2019 VA opinion regarding whether obesity caused by PTSD is an intermediate step between PTSD and these conditions.