Diabetes decisions — 2013

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions (diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to service, including any impaired glucose tolerance findings noted in service records. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether the diabetes mellitus was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or bilateral lower extremity disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. The Veteran's in-country assignment and documented shore activity are considered sufficient evidence of exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. As the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, his condition is presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and thoracolumbar spine disability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings in any of these cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from 10% to a higher percentage has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding his diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, and there was no evidence of visual field impairment or loss of visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in one eye and 20/50 or worse in the other. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his ED, as he had normal corrected vision in both eyes. Service connection was denied for kidney cancer with subsequent removal of the right kidney due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus or hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with complications has been granted a rating of 20 percent, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, which he claims is a result of exposure to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish whether the Veteran served on land in the RVN and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder is service connected, and it is secondary to his stroke. The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder on de novo review as the evidence shows that it is related to his now service-connected cognitive disorder.

The cause of the Veteran's death was not related to his service or any service-connected disability.