Diabetes decisions — 2005

The veteran's erectile dysfunction due to Type 2 diabetes mellitus is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and secondary service connection for fatigue, headaches, and bilateral eye disorder as related to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus render him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no direct link between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure is not applicable due to the type of diabetes he has.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim of service connection for prostatitis is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The RO confirmed and continued this rating in a May 2003 decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pain and numbness of the hands and arms, diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic coronary artery disease and diabetic heart disease occlusion did not begin or increase in severity during service, nor can it be presumed to have begun due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure to herbicides and his service in Vietnam, which is necessary for determining whether he can be presumed exposed to Agent Orange. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, or cataracts are related to his military service exposure to neurotoxins.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, and the veteran's current diagnosis was not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased initial evaluation of diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension. The VA found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or a link between hypertension and service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service in Vietnam qualifies him for presumed exposure to Agent Orange, and diabetes mellitus, type II is among the diseases recognized as etiologically associated with such exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of whether any current neurological symptoms can be solely attributable to the low back disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and a higher evaluation for his diabetes mellitus. The case needs further development.

The Board has determined that the claims are not ready for appellate disposition due to missing service medical records and lack of information regarding the veteran's POW status. The VA is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records, including from private providers.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, so there are no remaining issues for the Board to consider.