Diabetes decisions — 2011

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that he likely went ashore while stationed aboard his ship, thus qualifying for presumptive service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. The Veteran's current diabetes mellitus was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus within one year post-service and denied service connection for this condition. The bilateral eye disability was also not granted as the Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, but the VA examiner found that it did not require regulation of activities. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital Flagler on October 25, 2009 is granted. The treatment was deemed necessary due to the urgency and severity of his symptoms, which included palpitations and shortness of breath.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and loss of use of both feet due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy was not proper, as there is no evidence showing the Veteran set foot in Vietnam or had exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, claimed as due to herbicide exposure in service, was denied because there is no evidence of Vietnam service and the diabetes was not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records, including Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and congestive heart failure were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 90%, which satisfies the percentage requirements for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to presumed exposure to herbicides during visitation in Vietnam. The condition was diagnosed and treated at the VA Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The remaining issues of increased rating for hypertension, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability are referred back to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension is found to have begun in service and was aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea. His sleep apnea is found to have begun in service and is related to his service-connected sleep apnea. Diabetes mellitus is found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found the evidence equally balanced as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service in Korea. The Veteran served in Company C, 51st Signal Battalion (Combat) and claims he was exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicide while stationed along the DMZ.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims is due to exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes and related circulatory problems were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during his active duty. The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes was first diagnosed more than three decades after his last period of active duty.