Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand, which is presumed to be linked to his development of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. As these conditions are presumptively related to herbicide exposure, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD and diabetes prior to January 17, 2008.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion regarding the manifestations of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for depression is also denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to allow for a Social and Industrial Survey, as well as consideration of the assignment of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and addressing the basis and rationale for the amendment to the Veteran's death certificate. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn. The claims to reopen service connection for gouty arthritis, hypertension, depression and anxiety, neck disorder, back disorder, right elbow disorder, and breathing disorder (including asthma and shortness of breath) have been granted.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatal melanoma, including whether it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure or if his service-connected diabetes mellitus and complications contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, with diabetes being another significant medical condition not directly contributing to his death. The Board finds that the evidence supports the premise that the Veteran temporarily traveled to Vietnam and is therefore presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II requires insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of diabetes on or before May 8, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus is denied as the disability was not caused by negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection for cause of death is April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The VA determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and left knee disability.

The Veteran's cause of death, multi-system failure, was at least as likely as not due to or contributed to substantially or materially to the cause of death by diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease. These conditions are presumptive disorders resulting from Agent Orange exposure during service in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) and secondary service-connected erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic ulcers. The Veteran appealed this decision.