Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Korat RTAFB in Thailand and granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of this exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes, and a neurological disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and potential service connection issues related to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and asking the Veteran to identify all treatment received since August 2007. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm residuals, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling another hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and addressing the issues of service connection for other disabilities related to his PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with right eye diabetic retinopathy, chronic renal insufficiency, and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, sleep apnea, right hip bursitis, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure, has been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or a relationship between the claimed condition and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of diagnosed peripheral neuropathy during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin condition to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides due to incomplete development. The Veteran's attorney submitted additional evidence that was not initially considered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private medical records. The appeal is now in remand status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and additional evidence is needed. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.,The Veteran's left toe amputation is not causally related to his active duty service or any incident therein.

The Board is seeking clarification on whether the Veteran's hypertension is due to or caused by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding both the direct relationship of hypertension to these conditions as well as any aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of its presence during active service and insufficient medical evidence linking it to service.