Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the presence or absence of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, as well as address any other relevant issues related to his eye disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in a unit near the DMZ and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus based on exposure to herbicides, as there is no credible evidence showing such exposure. As a result, the claim was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC. Specifically, VA examinations are needed to determine if his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or toxic herbicide exposure, and whether he needs aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes mellitus, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and increased rating for PTSD prior to July 9, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU since March 28, 2006 and his unemployability is due to the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues include increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with onychomycosis and erectile dysfunction, warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from January 9, 2006. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is found to be related to her military service, while the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The VA has not fully developed the record regarding this claim and needs to contact relevant sources to verify the Veteran's claimed events.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal, as it only requires a restricted diet to manage.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow has been withdrawn. The remaining claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, left knee, and diabetes mellitus are addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and that his diabetes did not develop within a year of discharge. The Board also found that his lay statements regarding exposure were insufficient to establish a nexus between his diabetes and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease (CAD), S/P CABG, and S/P MI, are shown as of the date of his claim to be of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU was granted from December 30, 2004 until July 7, 2007.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Thailand and Korea.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II or coronary artery disease, and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and adjudicating his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. His TDIU claim will also be considered as inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus issue.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus requires oral agents, insulin injections and a restricted diet but does not require limitation or regulation of activities. The criteria for assignment of a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, which he asserts is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.