Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service on board USS Horne was within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted a rating of 60 percent from October 26, 2011 to January 26, 2012. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for an effective date prior to January 22, 2014, for a compensable evaluation of diabetic nephropathy is also remanded. Additionally, several initial evaluations in excess of the current ratings are being remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's active duty service qualifies for the expanded presumption of service connection available under the Blue Water Navy Act, which would allow for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being remanded to locate and review the deck logs of U.S.S. Somers to determine if it was 'offshore of Vietnam' during the Veteran's period of service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes and has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has been awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. However, several other claims have been remanded as there are outstanding records needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus II and bilateral hearing loss have been granted due to exposure to herbicides during service. The claim for diabetes mellitus II is based on the presumption of exposure, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is in equipoise with the evidence.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea or Vietnam. The back disability and sciatica were remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of the appellant's assertion that the Veteran had a heart attack during National Guard training. The claim will be reconsidered with an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, due to the need for regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to exposure in the official waters of Vietnam and the presumption of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. The bladder disorder and erectile dysfunction claims are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and ischemic heart disease due to unclear information regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's service aboard USS DAVIS is being investigated to determine if it was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during his service on the U.S.S. Reeves within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II, diabetes mellitus (DMII), to include as due to herbicide exposure because there is no current diagnosis of DMII and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.