Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues related to reopening previously denied claims for hypertension, chronic skin disability (dermatitis, chloracne, squamous cell carcinoma), diabetes mellitus type II, cardiac disability, breathing problems, and a chronic nerve disability of the hands, face, and legs.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service or a service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board found that the evidence added to the record since the final rating decisions does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicides, rosacea and actinic keratosis (claimed as a skin disorder) as a result of exposure to herbicides, hypertension, or anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type 2 with bilateral incipient cataract was denied. The earlier effective dates for service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, diabetes (claimed as borderline diabetes), neuropathy of the hands and upper extremities, neuropathy of the feet and lower extremities, and glaucoma were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS De Haven and determining if routine dumping of Agent Orange over water off Vietnam was a practice prior to landing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are inextricably intertwined with his claim for diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, as well as hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Korea, and also because of the interrelated nature of the claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran claims service connection for diabetes, which he contends is due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service in Vietnam. The RO denied this claim and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred or aggravated during a confirmed period of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) with the U.S. Naval Reserve.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for neck disability. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development, including a new VA medical examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral nuclear and cortical early cataractous changes, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of the amended regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a low back disorder due to service and denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during active duty cannot be presumed and the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure is not supported. The Board also found no evidence of a diagnosis or link between the current diabetes mellitus and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred due to active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer disease or hypertension that is related to service. The claims are denied.