Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other toxins that could have caused these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and the need for additional examinations. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), and TDIU. The Board has not yet issued an SOC on the diabetes claim or referred the issue of extraschedular consideration for left ear hearing loss to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was granted, with an effective date of September 22, 2009. The Veteran is now rated at 40% for the period beginning September 22, 2009 and ending April 5, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a higher rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of both feet, and PTSD has been granted. The claims are presumed based on exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's disabilities are related to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to his service-connected exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds that his symptoms are more consistent with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is already service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities but no other complications warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure during service, and further efforts are needed from VA's Joint Service Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, which he contends is due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during his Vietnam Era service, has been remanded due to insufficient information provided by the VA to verify his alleged exposure. The case will be referred back to JSRRC for further verification.

The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus prior to August 15, 2011 and granted a 40 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy has been rated at 30 percent since March 31, 2010. The rating is granted and effective as of that date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, was not caused by active service, and was not caused or aggravated by service-connected hypertension. The Board finds that the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's diabetes is caused or aggravated by service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and noting the Veteran's history of alcohol abuse. The claim was also not granted for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The Board has also remanded the cases to obtain a VA examination regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and hypertension, as these conditions may be related to presumed herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, the minimum rating required for a restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agent. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings as it does not require insulin, regulation of activities, episodes of ketoacidosis/hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization, or progressive loss of strength/weight.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, and diabetes mellitus is not linked to a service-connected condition. The claims were denied.