Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and degenerative disc disease T12-L3 have been rated at the highest possible level due to their severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he was entitled to a TDIU prior to August 24, 2006 based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or on account of being housebound has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was received by VA on April 23, 2007. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at April 23, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, CVA residuals, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2006. His combined disability rating is 70 percent from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during military service is presumed and his type I diabetes developed due to this exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that he did not have service in-country in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The Veteran's service records do not support his claims of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, adjustment disorder, or diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reduction of the prostate cancer rating was upheld.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as not related to service.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of in-service exposure and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service exposure to chlorinated wells and human waste.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right foot cold injury and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service department certification regarding the Veteran's February 1992 military service and addressing all arguments raised in the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and heart disability, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the conditions are not presumed due to service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right hip arthritis, sciatic nerve condition, and diabetes mellitus are related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for right ankle disability and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hyperlipidemia, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need to clarify his exposure history during the transition period from Korea to the United States.