Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and left hand, secondary to now service connected type II diabetes mellitus on a causation basis are both granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea, which is presumed for certain diseases listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are being remanded for further verification of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents in service. The peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded as they are related to the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The RO is instructed to contact the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and determine whether the Veteran was on ACDUTRA during 1999, 2000-01, or 2003. If these periods are confirmed, addendum opinions must be obtained regarding the etiology of any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have contributed to his development of diabetes mellitus type II, and therefore remands the case for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, contributed substantially or materially to his death from metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The decision grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure history and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals to service connect suppurating ulcers on the right and left legs, diabetes mellitus, and a temporary total rating for a condition necessitating convalescence have been withdrawn.,New evidence has reopened claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder. The Board will now review these reopened claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for manageable diabetes requiring insulin and oral agents. The Board found that regulation of activities was not required to control the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional research into his exposure to Agent Orange during his time at Webb Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, a right elbow condition, left and right knee conditions, cervical spine condition, dermal rash on both legs, type II diabetes mellitus, and low back strain with degenerative changes has been granted. The Veteran’s current disability of low back strain with degenerative changes is rated at 20 percent effective June 11, 2012.,The issue of entitlement to compensable initial ratings for left and right shoulder tendonitis remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetic nephropathy, diabetic sensory only polyneuropathy (left and right lower extremities), and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of evidence showing an intent to file a claim prior to March 9, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient development regarding exposure to mustard gas, ionizing radiation, and herbicide agents at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The RO must request verification from the U.S. Army Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and dermopathy, as there were no episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider. The Veteran's PTSD, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension have also been denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a left eye disability due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran's service records need to be reviewed to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam coast.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange in service. Further development is needed for both diabetes mellitus, type II and bladder cancer claims.

The Veteran's death was due to systemic ketoacidosis caused by acute and chronic alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that these conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a headache disorder are not granted. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service aboard USS Camden and to schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of verification of Agent Orange exposure at Cherry Point, North Carolina.