Diabetes Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions and the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicide agents within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not apply for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance within two years of receiving notification of his service connection. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran was mentally incompetent at any time relevant to this claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and granted it on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is causally related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, hypertension, and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a recent decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) in Tagupa v. McDonald, requiring verification of service from the United States Department of the Army.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD caused or contributed to his death. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been reopened.,Secondary service connection is granted as these conditions are complications of his now service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and malignant melanoma, both linked to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chloracne, and Dupuytren's contracture have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are granted due to exposure to herbicides during his military service in Thailand. However, bladder cancer is not considered related to herbicide exposure or service.

The Veteran's service in Korea does not qualify for a presumption of herbicide exposure, and thus he is not entitled to presumptive service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange during his service in Korea. The VA examiner provided an opinion regarding a direct relationship between the Veteran's diabetes to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. As the Veteran served in Thailand during the Vietnam era and his duties placed him on or near the air base perimeter, he is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. Therefore, diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center from June 1, 2011 to June 8, 2011 are now covered by VA as the treatment was for a medical emergency and no other VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest, diabetes, and hypertension.