Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which he contends is due to exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in Korea. The claim must be remanded as proper procedures have not been followed to corroborate whether the Veteran's service included service in the DMZ.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, has been rated at 40 percent since February 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and CAD resulting in a combined disability picture that prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. His PTSD does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has not addressed whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy have been granted, but his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination for the Veteran's son and updating the claim file with treatment records. The appellant's claims of nonservice-connected burial benefits, service connection for the cause of death, recognition as a helpless child, and eligibility for DEA benefits are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and eye disability were denied as there was no credible evidence to support the presence or causation in service.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed due to his in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions were first manifested during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's skin disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or post-service. The Veteran's hypertension is secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus. For the period prior to June 20, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the disease did not manifest within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and the collective evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and vocational experience.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes. The Board grants service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ was clearly erroneous due to misdiagnosis, and thus these benefits have been severed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypothyroidism, and kidney disorder due to herbicide exposure. The appellant's National Guard service at CFB Gagetown in Canada is under further investigation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and related complications require further examination to determine the appropriate disability rating. The issue of TDIU is also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.