Diabetes decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a higher rating as it currently requires insulin and a restricted diet, but not regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to ongoing appeals in Ribaudo v. Nicholson and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder and diabetes mellitus, both claimed as due to radiation exposure and asbestos exposure. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims was caused by in-service exposure to herbicides. The case has been remanded due to the need for further compliance with VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual regarding potential exposure outside of Vietnam.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to February 22, 2006 and increased to 40 percent after that date.,Since February 22, 2006, the evidence shows that the veteran's diabetes requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to pending litigation involving Agent Orange exposure claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for impotency as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination, as well as proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service. The veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus was not granted on a presumptive basis due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents. His claim for hypertension was also denied as the earliest documentation of hypertension is more than 30 years after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking the condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and arthritis (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection was denied for BPH, CAD, hypertension, major depressive disorder, and cataracts.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (both lower extremities), and diabetic retinopathy have been granted initial evaluations of 20 percent each from July 30, 2003.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus has caused marked interference with his employment as a truck driver and warrants a 40 percent extraschedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 due to the veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for Type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development of his case.