Diabetes decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus, both of which are not presumptively linked to herbicide exposure, were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or any other basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed Type II diabetes mellitus and consideration of internet/treatise material submitted by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated in service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether he has any complications from his diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease and renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examinations for his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The RO must verify the Veteran's current address and schedule him for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue to the RO for additional action. The Veteran's claim is now to be determined following a de novo review of the entire record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer did not have their onset in service or for many years thereafter, and are not shown by the evidence to be related to active duty. Therefore, his claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hand disability, residuals of left and right finger injuries, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. Service connection was granted for status post lacerated wound, left index finger.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal failure and diabetes mellitus are likely related to his exposure to mercury in service, but not to ionizing radiation. The claims for service connection were granted.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus as the Veteran's claims were not credible and there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorder, and hypertension as the evidence did not show a nexus to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and bilateral diabetic retinopathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension have been denied. The claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with hypertension is also denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to have had its onset during his active service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, claiming it is related to his active duty service and exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran served in the inland waters of Vietnam, which would allow him to avail himself of the presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and right ankle disability due to outstanding treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. However, there is no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II with hypercholesterolemia and service connection for a lung disability.