Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, as these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus did not become manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes is related to any event in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand and the claimed disabilities are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information and authorization to obtain relevant medical records, including from Dr. Bremer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's circulatory problems of the feet and legs were not incurred in service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that such disability is related to his service. The Veteran does have diabetes mellitus but there is no causal relationship between this condition and his current circulatory problems.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted, as it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for bilateral fifth toe disorder and thoracic/lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran still desires a hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus is presumed under VA regulations, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during or within one year after service. The claim for right hand/fingers disorder remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, skin disability, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of both feet are found to be service-connected. The TDIU claim is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, result in a need for aid and attendance on a regular basis to protect the Veteran from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 15, 2010 to October 18, 2010 at a non-VA hospital were approved as the treatment was for an emergency condition and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current diagnoses of gallstones, pancreatitis, the residuals of a cholecystectomy, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his military service or a service-connected disorder. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches were denied. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection as it was manifested in the first post-service year. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and residuals of lip cancer are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, have been denied as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected macular scar of the left eye is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.