Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), is denied because he did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and there is no evidence of Agent Orange exposure. The Board also found that service connection may still be established with proof of actual direct causation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, with associated erectile dysfunction, mild diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, is rated at 20 percent under the criteria for diabetes mellitus. The Board found that management of diabetes mellitus did not require a regulation of activities as needed for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown in service or within one year following discharge, and there is no competent evidence of a relationship between his current disability and service. As such, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a failure to obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is now pending again.

The appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of the TDIU claim with other service connection claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be adjudicated after a decision on his service connection claims.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective February 27, 2009 due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed due to his in-service exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the USS Newport News, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to decompensated cardiomyopathy, was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease that is presumed to be service connected in veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's cause of death (leukemia, pancytopenia, diabetes insipidus, and intracranial hemorrhage) are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is service connected due to exposure to commercial herbicides during his service in Thailand. The issue of shortness of breath remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy with retinal detachments and pseudophakia is currently rated at 30 percent, which includes the ratings for visual acuity (20%) and visual field defect (10%). The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, IHD, and scars. The Board has jurisdiction to consider entitlement to a TDIU in this instance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran was diagnosed with bilateral hallux valgus in service and continues to have this condition, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in a location where exposure to herbicides could be presumed, and there is no evidence of actual exposure. The claims for service connection for lung cancer and diabetes are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, loss of smell, diabetes mellitus type II, respiratory disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.