Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Thailand. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus as it is likely attributable to events during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to active service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA eye examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran had in-service herbicide exposure, presumptively associated with type II diabetes mellitus. However, further medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are linked to the claimed disabilities.

The Board determined that the Veteran did not serve within the land borders of Vietnam, and there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, could not be granted based on presumptive exposure or direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist and arm disabilities, as well as a left hand disability for purposes of accrued benefits. The Veteran's lung disability is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination deemed necessary to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities (with respect to impact on employment) means that this claim must be denied as a matter of law.

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

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as well as the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not established, and there are no chronic symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The issues are about the rating for diabetes mellitus and whether new evidence supports reopening his right knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on herbicide exposure was granted in November 2007 with an effective date of August 23, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his service in Thailand and exposure to herbicides, securing VA treatment records, and arranging for medical examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have been present during service or within one year of service, nor is there evidence that it began during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Board finds the claim must be denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show a nexus between the claimed condition and service or any presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA specialist examination and opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and hypertension is rated at 40 percent, effective from May 2010. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.