Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to Agent Orange or other water pollutants during his military service. The Board found that there was no indication that the Veteran served in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed exposed to herbicide agents.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of the claim, including the submission of additional evidence by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure and no credible evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's stomach disorder (GERD) is found to be service-connected, as it is claimed as secondary to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation exposure during military service. The other issues are not addressed due to lack of evidence or the complexity of the claims.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for possible secondary or aggravation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is REMANDED to allow the VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether the hypertension is related to the coronary artery disease, which has been granted as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death, as well as to ensure all pertinent records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 29, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The issue of evaluation of diabetes mellitus is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his military service and that any current disabilities are not related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his claims file and need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing nexus opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service-connected arthritis, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as is his PTSD. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine if his disability requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, upper extremities peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type 2, and lower extremities peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type 2 are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam during the Vietnam era and thus could not be granted presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist disability, bilateral toenail fungus (claimed as secondary to diabetes), and malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma on the face (claimed as due to herbicide exposure). The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, left wrist disability, and fracture of the mandible were also addressed but are not discussed in this decision.