Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service in the offshore waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had been exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Royal Thai Air Force Base Korat and Ubon, which is presumed to be associated with diabetes mellitus, type II.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, lower left and right extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a left eye condition due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found that regulation of activities due to diabetes has not been demonstrated, and the evidence did not support a higher rating for her diabetes. For her upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, the Board noted that while she reported burning pain and numbness in her hands, these symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus Type II due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again to determine if his conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the claims of a rating for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to January 27, 2017 is denied as there was no pending claim at that time. The SMC at the housebound rate starting December 6, 2018 is granted due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for DMII and its secondary conditions. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed due to herbicide exposure during service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand, contributed substantially or materially to his death from aspiration pneumonia and other causes. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a lung disorder, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and diabetes.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy have been denied. The claim for service connection of a prostate disorder is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for various evaluations and effective dates related to peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 2, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and type II diabetes mellitus, as they are related to his service-connected Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and treatment. The VA will need to provide additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for esophageal disability, lung cancer, gallbladder disability, thyroid disability, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) due to exposure to ionizing radiation and toxic chemicals. Additional development is needed including obtaining dose assessments based on service records, VA medical opinions regarding the relationship of these disabilities to service, and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for PTSD.