Diabetes decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish exposure to herbicide agents during service or a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and service, including weight gain and exposure to cleaning chemicals. The case is now pending further action.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is less than 70% and he has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The claim for service connection for colon cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his military personnel records and verifying any exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition to include as secondary to his right knee disability has been reopened and granted. He is also awarded TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish the occurrence of the claimed stressors related to PTSD and that his diabetes mellitus, type II, seizures, and cysts and lesions of the entire body did not have a direct relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, colon polyps, and enlarged prostate were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since January 31, 2012. The effective date for this rating is set to that day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in a military occupational specialty where he might have been exposed to Agent Orange, and there is no evidence of exposure during service. The Board also found no credible evidence linking any current disabilities (ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer) to service or to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the Montgomery RO regarding all six issues on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between service and the development of diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability is rated at 20 percent, and his osteoarthritis of the right hand is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus disability with related complications is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right great toe is found to be service-connected, while his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran developed diabetes and hypertension as a result of taking Olanzapine, but the Board finds that VA did not fail to exercise reasonable care in prescribing the medication. The cause of diabetes is at least as likely as not related to Olanzapine, while the cause of hypertension remains unknown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diabetes mellitus and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.