Citation Nr: 18145980 Decision Date: 10/30/18 Archive Date: 10/30/18 DOCKET NO. 15-26 665 DATE: October 30, 2018 ORDER Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. Service connection for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. Service connection for Parkinson’s disease, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. Service connection for end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic kidney disease status post renal transplant secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for a visual disability secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and has provided competent and credible testimony that he was exposed to significant levels of loud noises during service and that he began experiencing tinnitus during or shortly after service and that the tinnitus persisted intermittently and worsened since service. See private treatment note by Dr. D.R. 2. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of a hearing disability and has provided competent and credible testimony that he was exposed to significant levels of loud noises during service and that he began experiencing hearing loss during or shortly after service and that this mild hearing loss persisted and worsened since service. See private treatment note by Dr. D.R. 3. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), an ischemic heart disease (IHD), and has provided competent and credible testimony that, during his service in Korea, he spent four days in Vietnam on a TDY assignment. See April 2012 treatment notes. 4. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and has provided competent and credible testimony that, during his service in Korea, he spent four days in Vietnam on a TDY assignment. See April 2012 treatment notes. 5. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and has provided competent and credible testimony that, during his service in Korea, he spent four days in Vietnam on a TDY assignment. See April 2012 treatment notes. 6. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, and has provided competent and credible testimony that, during his service in Korea, he spent four days in Vietnam on a TDY assignment. See April 2012 treatment notes. 7. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic kidney disease status post renal transplant which has been medically linked to his now service-connected diabetes. See September 2017 private treatment note by Dr. I.L. and September 2011 private treatment letter by Dr. S.D. 8. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities which has been medically linked to his now service-connected diabetes. See September 2017 private treatment note by Dr. I.L. and September 2011 physician statement by Dr. A.A. 9. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities which has been medically linked to his now service-connected diabetes. See September 2017 private treatment note by Dr. I.L. and September 2011 physician statement by Dr. A.A. 10. The Veteran has current diagnoses of retinitis and macular edema, which have been medically which has been medically linked to his now service-connected diabetes. See September 2011 physician statement by Dr. A.A. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for service connection for tinnitus have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5103, 5103A, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304 (2017). 2. The criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5103, 5103A, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304 (2017). 3. On a facts-found basis, the Board finds the Veteran’s statements (about spending several days in Vietnam for a TDY assignment) are competent and credible and, therefore, in-service herbicide agent exposure has been established. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.304. 4. The criteria for service connection for coronary artery disease have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e). 5. The criteria for service connection for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e). 6. The criteria for service connection for Parkinson’s disease have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e). 7. The criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307(a)(6), 3.309(e). 8. The criteria for service connection for end stage renal disease (secondary to diabetic kidney disease status post renal transplant, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II) have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.310 (2017). 9. The criteria for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II) have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.310 (2017). 10. The criteria for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II) have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.310 (2017). 11. The criteria for service connection for a visual disability (secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II) have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1130, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.310 (2017). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty from November 1960 to June 1964. In October 2018, a videoconference hearing was held before the undersigned. For the reasons outlined above, service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, CAD, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic kidney disease status post renal transplant, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a visual disability is warranted. VICTORIA MOSHIASHWILI Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD M. D’Allaird, Associate Counsel