Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and its related secondary conditions including hypertension, kidney disease, and bilateral peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and TDIU. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be proximately due to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including consideration of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 12, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his IHD prior to that date. As of May 12, 2014, he met both thresholds required for a TDIU (a single service-connected disability ratable at 60% or more, or two or more disabilities with one rated at 40% or more and the combined rating at 70% or more). However, the Board found that his heart condition alone did not render him unemployable during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted. The appeal regarding a chronic kidney condition is dismissed.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus prior to May 21, 2015 and a rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's diabetes has required oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin, and restricted diet throughout the pendency of this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, along with his request for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 28, 2011, have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's prostate condition is no longer in dispute and has been dismissed.,Service connection for atrial fibrillation associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The Veteran's GERD is also granted as a separate disability from his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and its associated neuropathies, and initial ratings higher than 60 percent for peripheral artery disease of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to uncertainty regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board requests further development to determine if he served within the territorial sea of Vietnam, which would grant presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU. The cases are being remanded to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to evaluate his current levels of impairment from these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his bilateral eye condition, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during his period of active service. The hearing loss disability claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to noncompliance with previous remand directives regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes and his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's CAD and diabetes are related to his service-connected peripheral arterial disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand, which is not covered by the Vietnam Era presumption, credible. However, there is no affirmative evidence to rebut the presumption for these conditions. The respiratory disability, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and thyroid nodule are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his active service and did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but it is not considered a presumptive condition. The Board found no evidence that the diabetes caused by exposure to contaminated water was related to his active service.,The Veteran's right leg amputation is not causally or etiologically related to his service-connected cellulitis and is presumed due to his diabetes mellitus, which is also presumed due to Camp Lejeune exposure. The Board found no evidence that the amputation was caused by cellulitis.,The Veteran's hypertension is not considered a presumptive condition based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.