Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran was granted service connection for dry eye syndrome, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.,Dry eye syndrome is found to be related to an in-service chemical exposure. Diabetes mellitus type II is not shown to have had its onset during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with erectile dysfunction was rated at 20 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written submission.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and granted it on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, was shown by competent medical evidence to have manifested to a compensable degree.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction has been managed by the use of insulin and an oral hypoglycemic agent. Regulation of activities was not required to control diabetes for the entire initial rating period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that diabetes mellitus did not manifest during or within one year of separation from active service and was not caused by active service. Hyperlipidemia is considered a laboratory result rather than a disability. The other conditions were also not found to have manifested during service or be causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, particularly at Ubon Airfield in Thailand. The AOJ is instructed to expand its search for information on the Veteran's movements and duties while stationed there.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in January 2008, effective September 26, 2007. The claim was filed on a formal basis after the initial submission of medical evidence and form.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin rash, and respiratory disorder. The examiner will consider exposure to photochemicals during service as part of their assessment.

The Board has determined that additional medical inquiry is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is related to his service in Korea and/or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to Vietnam, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, and lumbar radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and found new and material evidence to support it. However, there is no specific rating assigned or effective date provided in this decision summary as the issues are mixed (some granted, some not). The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disorder related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.