Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA treatment records, specifically an April 15, 2010, VA Ukiah Clinic Telephone Contact Note. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered with this new evidence.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent, effective August 12, 2014. The ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are maintained. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board is remanding the claim for further development and readjudication due to failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a new opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by diabetes mellitus will be provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and asthma are secondary to his service-connected organophosphate delayed onset injuries. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the rating for diabetes, resulting in the dismissal of this matter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions, finding that VA could not have obtained the 1966 report due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran at the time of his July 2002 claim.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran was stationed near the perimeter of Ubon RTAFB in Thailand where he likely served as a weapons mechanic exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service or due to exposure to herbicides. The Board found insufficient medical evidence to support the claim that his diabetes began during or is causally related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse prior to May 9, 2013, warrants a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 or a pulmonary disability due to lack of exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy or bladder impairment, and the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is denied as there is no established current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The evidence did not support ratings higher than the currently assigned 20 percent ratings for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are granted as they may be presumed associated with exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a back disorder, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and each lower extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining whether any of the appellant's claimed disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep problems (including snoring with sleep apnea), restless leg syndrome, fractures, or arthritis (other than of the back and knees). The Veteran's STRs were silent for these conditions. Post-service treatment records showed current diagnoses but did not establish a link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral cataracts are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Parkinson's disease or diabetes mellitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus remains pending and will be remanded.