Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, and lower back disabilities, did not originate in service or until years after service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his active duty.

The Board's February 2014 decision denying service connection for a right arm/shoulder disorder is dismissed as the Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both related to in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for an earlier effective date is also pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since September 7, 2010. The most recent VA examination found that the condition does not require regulation of activities as part of its management.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. E.S.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's treatment records and an opinion regarding whether his hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current diagnosis is diabetes mellitus, Type II, which is an herbicide-presumptive disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred during his service due to herbicide exposure. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including an appropriate VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, which was granted in July 2010. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address his September 2009 informal claim for increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for skin cancer on the head is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not the Veteran LW and therefore cannot establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his strokes. He is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his stroke-related disabilities, which require assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for service-connected diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal in writing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pinguecula is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a depressive disorder, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the left lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for the residuals of bronchopneumonia is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for defective vision is on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with associated erectile dysfunction has not required regulation of activities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently managed with restricted diet and insulin injections, but does not require hospitalization or restriction of strenuous activities. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.