Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that new evidence submitted since the prior final decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities does not result in loss of use of both feet, as he can still walk with assistance and perform some activities without significant impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for PTSD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus with bilateral cortical cataracts, thus the Board dismisses these matters.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertension, and earlier effective date for TBI have all been resolved to his satisfaction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues include pension, service connection for psychiatric disorder, fatigue, digestive condition, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of a prior formal or informal claim before June 16, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to potential herbicide exposure in Thailand and other relevant issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and low back disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, including as due to herbicide exposure, has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged exposure in Da Nang Harbor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, heart disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and loss of kidney are granted due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is found to have begun during active service and continues today, granting service connection.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran had diabetes mellitus within one year of separation from service. The high glucose readings noted at the time of service separation are not considered a manifestation of diabetes.

The Veteran's obesity and diabetes mellitus were not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected conditions, including arthritis of the knees and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was likely exposed to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB in Thailand, and therefore service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and ischemic heart disease is granted on a presumptive basis.

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.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying herbicide exposure at Ramasun Station.

Service connection for bronchitis, to include as due to exposure to mustard gas, was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to service.