Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and updated private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and inadequate duty-to-assist compliance. The Veteran's claims for PTSD service connection and a nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy rating are being reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral foot numbness was rated at 20 percent from May 8, 2008 to October 14, 2013 and increased to 40 percent effective October 15, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, kidney disorder, left leg disorder, and various other conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in service and her kidney and left leg disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss and potential service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and granted it. The Veteran's other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service in the Republic of Korea, including his time near the DMZ, qualifies him for presumptive exposure to herbicides. He has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II and is therefore entitled to service connection based on this presumption.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with diabetes mellitus type II being presumed due to herbicide exposure and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus established as a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has not considered a substantial portion of the claims file, including service treatment records and an unappealed July 2009 rating decision. The issues involving diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, to include as a result of herbicide exposure, was denied. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU are therefore not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and opinions regarding the onset and aggravation of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, Parkinson's disease, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are not fully developed. The appeal is REMANDED to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, loss of the sense of smell, vasodepressor syncope (syncope), and erectile dysfunction (ED) are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current diabetes insipidus is due to his military service, and thus service connection for diabetes insipidus is granted.

The Board has ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The remand includes obtaining additional VA medical records, SSA records, and clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the conditions claimed are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's service connection claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as the condition is associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam, a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, right eye ptosis, and neuropathy of the lower extremities. The remaining claims for skin disorder, circulatory disorder, and an eye disability (other than right eye ptosis) are remanded for further development.