Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a bilateral eye condition are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, particularly regarding his diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Board will provide a supplemental statement of the case after considering all evidence.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was rated at 10 percent from March 26, 2010 to April 15, 2012 and increased to 20 percent effective April 16, 2012. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently evaluated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the earliest possible effective date is November 18, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection on May 8, 2001 when diabetes mellitus was added to the list of presumptive diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in Vietnam and has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, which are presumed to be related to his service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition on August 19, 2007 was an emergency requiring immediate treatment. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service in Thailand. The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, with erectile dysfunction, has been rated at 20 percent since November 9, 2004. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition requires insulin and restricted diet but no regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has these conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine when this condition resolved, if at all, as well as whether it is related to his military service or service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both of which were denied due to a lack of qualifying Vietnam service. The deck logs from April 1967 did not indicate in-country service, and the internet articles provided no additional information regarding the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II are also being addressed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cancer of the vocal cords, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his diabetes mellitus was related to presumed exposure to herbicides during service aboard U.S.S. Weiss APD-135.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus secondary to PTSD due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is to be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed disabilities.