Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, lung nodules, obstructive sleep apnea, and abnormal creatinine are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; heart disease with ICD; and hypertension. The decision found no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other chemical agents during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which would have allowed for presumptive service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is attributable to his active military service and grants this claim.

The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and his vision deficits or peripheral neuropathy, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have service in Vietnam, was not exposed to herbicides during active service, and therefore cannot establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claim is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that his colon cancer was not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for permanent disequilibrium and service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but his diabetic nephropathy and right eye retinopathy are each rated at 60 percent effective March 28, 2013.,Diabetic retinopathy has been granted a separate rating of 60 percent since October 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand and Vietnam, including verification of such exposures. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has remanded all issues for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing and sending the appellant a copy of the September 2014 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, including allegations of exposure to chemical toxins and/or herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to complete the requested development and provide a formal response from the Department of Defense on the issue of exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for large vessel disease, claimed as coronary artery disease, has been reopened. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 22, 2010 and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The appeal for increased rating for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was received by VA on September 22, 2009. The effective date of service connection is set at September 22, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for coronary artery disease was received by VA on September 22, 2009. The earliest evidence of a diagnosis and entitlement to service connection arose in 2007, but the effective date cannot be earlier than September 22, 2009.