Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's pancreatic cancer and his presumed in-service exposure to herbicides and/or chronic Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 30 percent, renal insufficiency at 100 percent effective April 17, 2009. The diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service, and that the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since separation. Service connection could not be established on a direct basis due to lack of medical nexus between current disabilities and service. The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type 2, was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Japan.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, as well as service connection for diabetic retinopathy, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus or a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is not linked to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and additional development is needed before the claims can be decided on the merits.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not result from his service-connected gastrointestinal disability, and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to potential inextricably intertwined issues with the issue on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as a need for an updated VA compensation examination for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and right carotid artery disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a depressive psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as it is presumed due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective May 1, 2008, due to significant improvement in his condition as evidenced by VA examinations conducted in April and August 2007.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria have been rated, but the voiding dysfunction resulting in awakening to void two times a night is granted as a separate condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and further development is required.

The Board found no in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals, and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a sleep disorder due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran served in Vietnam or had duty or visitation there.