Diabetes Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including issuance of a statement of the case and referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to her ability to care for herself and protect herself from daily hazards.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a heart condition based on new evidence. However, as there is no confirmed exposure to herbicides or other Agent Orange-like agents during service, and no in-service symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions, the Board finds that service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left facial spasm, porphyria cutanea tarda with diabetic skin complications of tinea pedis and tinea cruris, PTSD and depression, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating was assigned for the skin conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran served near the perimeter of the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Korat, Thailand and therefore exposure to herbicides is conceded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, due to herbicide exposure, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and thus could not establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease were not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, resulting in a grant of this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of left foot fractures and diabetes mellitus are related to her service-connected conditions, specifically her left ankle strain and bronchial asthma. Therefore, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to a disability of service origins, and therefore service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus type II, pulmonary nodules of the lungs, or liver disability due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel Board hearing to be conducted in Marion, Illinois. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and back disorder are pending. Additionally, his claims regarding bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as residuals of a head injury have been reopened.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and the TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during active service in Thailand. The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to his conceded exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's thrombocytosis and polycythemia vera are currently diagnosed but not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, claiming it is related to his military service and exposure to herbicides. However, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim due to lack of personnel records and potential discrepancies in reported exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new medical evidence indicating the Veteran's current hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, retinopathy, and neuropathy have resulted in a combined 100% disability rating. The Board has granted a 60% rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining a Statement of the Case for issues related to service connection and rating decisions. Additionally, additional records are needed from Social Security Administration (SSA) and a VA examination is required.