Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Appellant's military service after April 1987. The claims for respiratory disability and diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or chronic diseases during service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus prior to June 17, 2013. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus required regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset during service and is not shown to be otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his other conditions have not been established as being due to or a result of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange, while stationed in Vietnam and therefore service connection is granted for his cause of death due to diabetes and metastatic prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service department records and treatment records, as well as a need for an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current type 2 diabetes mellitus and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown to be related to his service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, heart disability, or hypertension. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as both conditions are considered presumptively service-connected due to their manifestation within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran had in-country service in Vietnam based on his military occupational specialties and unit assignments, which may affect his claim for service connection for the cause of death due to diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to Agent Orange exposure in Thailand. The claim was reopened and the presumption of service connection is applied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and herbicide exposure. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the direct service connection of hypertension to active duty service, as well as secondary service connection due to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed with respect to the December 2008 rating decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim was reopened based on new and material evidence other than service department records, but no effective date prior to September 20, 2010 is granted as that would be the earliest possible effective date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and arthritis of the elbows, back, knees, and ankles were not present during service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type 2, and service connection for erectile dysfunction. The decision also noted that a claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension was not considered as it had become final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.