Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service on board the USS Perch and has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to this exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD are rated at their current levels.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease. The issue of a higher initial disability rating for the heart disability (coronary artery disease) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and associated peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection for hypertension prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's hypertension, secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as clarification of his service dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also found that there was no nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's type I diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for CLL and lung disorder, but finds insufficient evidence to grant these claims. The claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of each lower and upper extremity, diabetic gastroparesis, and angina are rated as 70 percent disabling combined. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides during active duty. The diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not presumed due to herbicide exposure. The external popliteal nerve of the bilateral lower extremities, dermatophytosis, unfavorable ankylosis of five digits of one hand (Dupuytrens contracture), and adhesive capsulitis of the shoulders are all denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 16, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a bilateral knee condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left arm disorder, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension and increased rating are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including those from private doctors. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his candidiasis of the feet with tinea pedis and hyperhidrosis, as well as whether he meets the requirements for SMP at the aid and attendance or housebound rate.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a foot rash due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and peripheral neuropathy, were denied by the Board. The Veteran was found not to have current disabilities related to these conditions, with the exception of chronic fatigue syndrome which was granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the issues of increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, as well as service connection for arthritis and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to provide etiological opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any newly diagnosed conditions.