Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his separation from service and there is no evidence of hypertension within one year of service separation. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not service-connected as claimed. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or asbestos exposure during service that would support a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for PTSD, effective January 20, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected prostate disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and has ordered a Travel Board hearing before the Veteran.

The Veteran's Type 2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent effective March 1, 2010. The Veteran's nephropathy with hypertension is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service and the claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and Barrett's esophagus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Korea and no current diagnoses related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy and erectile dysfunction was initially rated at 20 percent prior to May 7, 2008. As of that date, the rating was increased to 40 percent. The current claim seeks a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and heart disability, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bladder disorder, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, and heart disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 1, 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective that date.,Diabetes mellitus with balanititis, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 20 percent throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and consider whether new evidence has been received to reopen his psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, or erectile dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure was improper, and restored service connection.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and prostate cancer were not shown to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides/herbicide agents, ionizing radiation, BG, or Project SHAD chemicals. The Board finds that the claims for these disabilities must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy or detached retina, left eye. The preponderance of evidence is against finding service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of medical records. The issues include higher ratings for peripheral vascular disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts.