Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a BVA videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection, effective date determinations, and special monthly compensation are all pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20 percent from November 16, 2009 to January 17, 2011 and increased to 40 percent from January 18, 2011 to July 15, 2013. From July 16, 2013 forward, the Veteran is rated at 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in functional impairment that causes him to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, feed himself, and perform activities of daily living without assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and opinions regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disease of the cervical spine, PTSD, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and residual scars, rendered him unable to care for himself. The Board found that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, compression fracture at L2 of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, left otitis media with ruptured tympanic membrane, left saphenous nerve entrapment, or bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, as well as the earlier effective date for depression. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including identifying specific aircraft he serviced during his active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 18, 2015. The rating for PTSD has been granted and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and thus no basis to grant presumptive service connection. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service aboard a Navy vessel in Vietnam constitutes 'brown water' service, entitling him to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, presumed due to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, contributed substantially to his death from acute myocardial infarction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a prostate disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings and an earlier effective date. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating are not met, and the claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was likely exposed to herbicides during his service at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand, and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability due to service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while serving in the inland waterways of Vietnam, which entitles him to service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.