Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, type II, and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in the Vietnam era. The Board grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active service.

The Board found no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prior to January 13, 2010, is rated at 20 percent. From January 13, 2010, the rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board granted an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, with effective dates not specified.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service onset or connection between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and bilateral foot disorder with his service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now on their merits.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance pending resolution of the hypertension issue.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 was reopened and granted based on exposure to herbicides in service. Service connection is also granted for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type 2, but not for peripheral neuropathy or a bilateral eye disorder. The claim for renal insufficiency remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant SSA documents. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his skin disorders.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes that he claims was caused by improper prescription of Zyprexa (Olanzapine) at VA facilities, including the St. Louis VAMC. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from June to September 2002. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected and denied his claim.