Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, all secondary to chemical exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bowel incontinence disability was granted, with the effective date being determined by the AOJ. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his hepatitis C was not caused by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, liver disorder, and autoimmune disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet with regulation of activities, is rated at the highest available level (40%) for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for bilateral knee disabilities is remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the preexistence and aggravation of any knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of extraschedular evaluation and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims are presumed based on his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of the back and left hip has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining English translations of Spanish documents and treatment records from the San Juan VAMC. A VA examination will be scheduled to evaluate his diabetes with hypertension and nephropathy condition, as well as a nerve examination to determine which nerves were impacted in April/May 2010.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus required insulin and a restricted diet prior to July 18, 2012. Since then, it has required insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy did not have their onset during his periods of honorable service, nor were they related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus, type II is etiologically related to his exposure to toxic chemicals during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in the Republic of Vietnam qualifying for the presumption of exposure to tactical herbicide agents under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iii). Therefore, the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 18, 2014, to March 18, 2016. Therefore, his claim for TDIU during this period is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on exposure to Agent Orange during service in Okinawa, Japan.