Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and hypertension are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied, as the evidence did not show that he required insulin and restricted diet or use of an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent due to the requirement of insulin and a restricted diet. The erectile dysfunction does not meet criteria for any compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard the USS Jenkins, which may affect his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no evidence supported herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability contributing to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing as requested. The claims of service connection will be further evaluated after the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg to obtain additional medical evidence.

Service connection granted for diabetes mellitus type 2 and obstructive sleep apnea, both determined to be directly related to service.,No service connection granted for obesity, high cholesterol, or other conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed due to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the available evidence does not establish a positive association between herbicide exposure and hypertension, but service connection based on direct causation may still be established pursuant to Combee v. Brown.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims developed due to exposure to herbicides. The claim will be remanded for additional development including obtaining medical evidence of a current diagnosis and treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused or contributed substantially to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus and heart arrhythmia.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia (claimed as heartburn), and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination considering his service-connected PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities. The examiner must assess whether these conditions affect his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for scars on the arms and a disorder manifested by arteries in the legs. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve in both hands.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is service connected as it is a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease.