Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Veteran's urinary frequency is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus and has been granted as secondary to the diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is a result of his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from NPRC and scheduling a VA ophthalmology examination.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, finding that the Veteran's conditions began prior to his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA physician concluded that the hypertension is a separate condition from diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both feet. The temporary 100 percent evaluation based on convalescence due to surgery of the cervical spine in 2008 is also granted.

The Board has ordered the claims remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. P.R.D., VA treatment records, and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is related to his military service and exposure to toxic chemicals at St. Juliens Creek Annex.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and assigned a 20% evaluation effective May 29, 2009. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, with cataracts in both eyes, warranted a 10% disability rating since he filed his initial claim for service connection on March 18, 2008.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy have been granted. The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his active service in Thailand, which is presumed to be related to his current diagnoses of DM and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The issues involve exposure to Agent Orange, toxins, and jet fuel.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as additional development of his medical records and employment history is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and thus, service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left foot callus, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts and service connection for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, while stationed at the Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains unresolved as there is no evidence of Vietnam-era exposure.